Experimental study of the sonographic diagnosis of testicular torsion.

The sonographic and Doppler features of acute spermatic cord torsion were investigated in eight dogs. Serial sonography following torsion demonstrated unambiguous abnormalities in all experimental subjects within one hour. The observed abnormalities included increase in size of the spermatic cord, testis, and epididymis, decrease in echogenicity of the testis and epididymis, and loss of Doppler signal from the cord. Sonographic abnormalities were clearly visible before any histologic change was detected and well in advance of the onset of cellular necrosis. Since every experimental subject had an abnormal testicle, the identification of a normal testicle in a clinical setting is felt to exclude torsion. Combined gray-scale sonographic and Doppler features appear promising in the diagnosis of acute spermatic cord torsion and its distinction from acute epididymo-orchitis.     

精索扭转的彩色多普勒超声诊断

为研究精索扭转的彩色多普勒超声（ＣＤＵ）表现及其诊断价值，采用彩色多普勒电脑声像仪对１３例精索扭转、１７例急性睾丸附睾炎及７２例正常睾丸进行检查。异常３０例中，１０例进行手术治疗，其余病例经随访得到诊断结果。ＣＤＵ诊断精索扭转敏感性为９２．３％，特异性为１００％。研究表明，ＣＤＵ能够发现精索扭转并评价其程度，可帮助临床医师迅速准确地作出诊断     

实时精索团块在超声诊断睾丸扭转中的价值

目的 探讨实时精索团块在超声诊断睾丸扭转中的价值。方法 经超声检查的睾丸扭转患者42例,分析其阴囊的二维及彩色多普勒超声表现,仔细研究精索的走行,寻找有无实时精索团块。结果 所有病例均经手术证实。37例为完全扭转,二维及彩色多普勒上均可见精索团块,精索团块及其远端无血流信号。5例为不完全扭转,二维及彩色多普勒上均可见精索团块,精索团块内血流减少。结论 实时精索团块是诊断睾丸完全、不完全扭转最敏感、最特异的超声表现。     

不同程度精索扭转的超声诊断与临床对照分析

【目的】提高超声检查在精索扭转的诊断价值。【方法】分析50例经临床手术证实的不同程度精索扭转患者彩色多普勒超声图像特征。【结果】150例精索扭转患者中,48例因扭转程度不同,出现不同的精索二维声像图改变,40例彩色多普勒显像出现睾丸内血流改变异常,20例出现睾丸内二维声像图改变,敏感性分别为96％、80％、40％,特异性分别为100％、100％、67％。【结论】不同程度的精索扭转可出现不同的彩色多普勒超声改变,超声可作为临床首选的无创检查手段。     

彩色多普勒超声在精索扭转诊断鉴别诊断中的应用研究进展

在泌尿外科中,精索扭转是导致急性阴囊胀痛常见致病因素,在临床中极易出现漏诊及误诊情况。在以往的评估诊断中大多采用常规超声辅助检查,但该项检测不能够对微小血管及低速血流进行准确显示,进而不利于病情准确判定。彩色多普勒超声属于一种新型的超声检查技术,本研究通过对精索扭转患者采用彩色多普勒超声诊断,进而对其应用价值展开综述。     

Ultrasound in the assessment of the acute scrotum

Color Doppler imaging (CDI) has become the study of choice in evaluation of the scrotum due to technological advances resulting in superior resolution and sensitive Doppler systems. CDI has become particularly helpful in evaluating the scrotum in the setting of acute disorders, such as torsion of the spermatic cord, epididymal and testicular inflammation, and scrotal trauma. CDI should be the study of choice to evaluate for torsion of the spermatic cord and demonstrates a high degree of accuracy. CDI in such a setting, however, does require operator experience, sensitive Doppler ultrasound equipment, and operator knowledge of the limitations of CDI. With epididymitis or epididymo-orchitis, CDI has proven to be quite helpful in evaluating the scrotal contents for the presence of inflammation and associated complications. In scrotal trauma, CDI's utility remains somewhat controversial, but with further investigation its appropriate application in this situation may become clear. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Sonographic differential diagnosis of acute scrotum: real-time whirlpool sign, a key sign of torsion.

Objective. The purpose of this study was to prospectively investigate the role of high‐resolution and color Doppler sonography in the differential diagnosis of acute scrotum and testicular torsion in particular. Methods. Patients who underwent sonography for acute scrotum between April 2000 and September 2005 were included in the study. Gray scale and color Doppler sonography of the scrotum was performed. The spermatic cord was studied on longitudinal and transverse scans from the inguinal region up to the testis, and the whirlpool sign was looked for. Results. During this period, 221 patients underwent sonography for acute scrotum. Sixty‐five had epididymo‐orchitis with a straight spermatic cord, a swollen epididymis, testis, or both, an absent focal lesion in the testis, and increased flow on color Doppler studies along with the clinical features of infection. Three had testicular abscesses. Sonography revealed features of torsion of testicular appendages in 23 patients and acute idiopathic scrotal edema in 19. Complete torsion was seen in 61 patients who had the whirlpool sign on gray scale imaging and absent flow distal to the whirlpool. There was incomplete torsion in 4 patients in whom the whirlpool sign was seen on both gray scale and color Doppler imaging. Nine patients had segmental testicular infarction, and 1 had a torsion‐detorsion sequence revealing testicular hyperemia. In 14 patients, the findings were equivocal. There was a complicated hydrocele, mumps orchitis, and vasculitis of Henoch‐Schönlein purpura in 1 patient each. Five patients had normal findings. Fourteen were lost for follow‐up. Conclusions. Sonography of acute scrotum should include study of the spermatic cord. The sonographic real‐time whirlpool sign is the most specific and sensitive sign of torsion, both complete and incomplete. Intermittent testicular torsion is a challenging clinical condition with a spectrum of clinical and sonographic features.     

Torsion of the spermatic cord: the main gray-scale and doppler sonographic signs

Scrotal ultrasonography (US) is usually the initial imaging modality for evaluating patients who present with acute pathologic conditions of the scrotum. Acute epididymitis, acute epididymo-orchitis, torsion of the spermatic cord (TSC), and other acute scrotal abnormalities may have similar findings at clinical examination. Pain and swelling make the clinical examination difficult, sometimes practically impossible, potentially resulting in management delays. The objective of this review is to summarize the main clinical signs of the TSC and to illustrate and briefly discuss the US features of this entity, including gray-scale imaging, color Doppler with spectral analysis, and power Doppler sonography. Although TSC can occur at any age, it is most common in adolescent boys. The intensity of the symptoms and the US findings vary with the duration of the torsion, number of twists in the spermatic cord (degree of rotation), and how tightly the vessels of the cord are compressed. An enlarged, more spherical, and diffusely hypoechogenic testis without detectable arterial and venous testicular flow at color and power Doppler US is considered diagnostic of acute testicular ischemia. The presence of a color or power Doppler signal in one part of the testis does not exclude TSC. Positive blood flow but significantly diminished, usually near or inside the mediastinum, may be found, mainly in the partial or incomplete TSC. Identification of a large echogenic extratesticular mass distal to the site of the torsion, frequently misinterpreted as a chronic epididymitis, can be the key to the diagnosis of TSC. When a small arterial sign is found a low amplitude waveform is present with an increased resistive index on the affected side due to a diminished, absent, or reversed diastolic flow. Gray-scale imaging, color Doppler, power Doppler and pulsed Doppler with spectral analysis are very effective to make or exclude the diagnosis of TSC.     

彩色多普勒超声对睾丸附件扭转的诊断价值

目的 探讨彩色多普勒超声对睾丸附件扭转的诊断价值.方法 回顾性分析我院经手术或临床随访证实的35例睾丸附件扭转患者的声像图资料.结果 所有患者均可在睾丸上极与附睾头附近探及一非均质高回声结节,结节内未探及血流信号;22例患者同时伴有同侧睾丸及附睾轻度增大,且彩色多普勒血流信号较对侧相对增多;24例患者伴有同侧精索增粗;...     

The acute scrotum

In boys and adolescents, the acute scrotum usually results from one of three diseases: torsion of the spermatic cord, torsion of the appendix testis, or epididymitis. A rapid diagnosis of torsion of the cord, if present, is essential, and as soon as this diagnosis is made, arrangements must be made for timely surgical correction. Although a diagnosis for the acute scrotum in this age group can sometimes be made on the basis of the history, pathognomonic signs, and basic laboratory analysis of the urine and a urethral discharge, in the usual case diagnosis requires a Doppler ultrasound examination (which if positive for torsion makes the diagnosis), a radionuclide scan (for cases negative or indeterminate for torsion on the Doppler examination), or, as a last resort, scrotal exploration. In men, by far the most common cause of the acute scrotum is epididymitis, with the torsions being much less common. In heterosexual young men with epididymitis, N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis are the most likely etiologic organisms; in homosexual men and older men (and boys), E. coli, Pseudomonas sp., and the gram-positive cocci are the most common pathogens. Ceftriaxone plus tetracycline is the initial antimicrobial regimen of choice in heterosexual young men; in the absence of evidence of a sexually transmitted pathogen, one of the antimicrobials effective against common urinary tract pathogens is the initial antimicrobial of choice in all other patients. When torsion of the cord is suspected in adult male patients, the Doppler examination and the radionuclide scan (if the Doppler is negative or indeterminate) can again make the diagnosis or rule it out.     

彩色多普勒超声诊断精索病变的价值

目的探讨彩色多普勒超声在精索病变诊断与鉴别诊断中的价值。方法分别在阴囊、阴囊根部及腹股沟部进行超声扫查,观察精索径线的大小、声像图表现及血流情况。结果精索静脉曲张35例、精索炎36例、精索鞘膜积液25例及精索肿瘤3例,各有其声像图特征表现。结论彩色多普勒超声对于精索疾病的诊断与鉴别诊断,具有重要的临床价值。     

睾丸精索扭转的诊断与治疗（附18例报告）

目的：总结睾丸精索扭转的诊断及治疗方法。方法：回顾分析18例睾丸精索扭转患者的临床资料。患者年龄1～49岁,平均20.5岁,其中小于25岁者14例,占78%。左侧12例,占67%。发病至确诊时间5h-2周。结果：初诊误诊14例。18例均行手术治疗,5例扭转时间短,睾丸血运良好者手术后保留睾丸,13例因睾丸已坏死,行睾丸切除术。17例为鞘膜内扭转,1例为鞘膜外扭转。结论：彩色多普勒血流动态显象检查（CDFI）是急性精索扭转早期诊断可靠方法;手术探查是提高睾丸存活率的重要手段。     

Acute pancreatitis masquerading as testicular torsion

A 40-year-old man presented with fat necrosis of scrotum as the complication of acute pancreatitis. Excessive fluid accumulation in the pancreas and the extrapancreatic spaces, including around the spermatic cord, was seen on computed tomography. Surgical specimen showed typical fat necrosis of tunica vaginalis and the spermatic cord. After the surgery, pain of the testicle subsided completely, without recurrence. From the clinical presentation alone, it had been difficult to differentiate this patient's condition from torsion of the spermatic cord.     

Assessment of acute scrotum by Doppler color flow imaging: A report of four cases

We used an Aloka SSD-2000 ultrasound unit with a 5 MHz convex scanner to assess one case of torsion of the spermatic cord, one case of orchitis, and two cases of epididymitis. Color flow imaging showed absence of blood flow signals in the testis in the case of torsion of the spermatic cord, while blood flow signals in the scrotum were significantly increased in the cases of orchitis and epididymitis. Blood flow signals decreased after chemotherapy. Color flow imaging may thus prove useful in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with acute scrotum.     

Testicular torsion: a surgical emergency

Testicular torsion is caused by twisting of the spermatic cord, which results in compromised testicular blood flow. The degree of ischemic injury is determined by the severity of arterial compression and the interval between the onset of symptoms and surgical intervention. Torsion usually occurs at puberty, and an anatomic defect known as "bell-clapper" deformity is usually present. Typical symptoms include acute scrotal pain with associated nausea and vomiting. Up to one-half of patients report previous similar episodes. On examination, the testis is high-riding, tender, swollen and firm. Testicular scan or Doppler ultrasound examination can be helpful in distinguishing torsion from acute epididymitis. Prompt surgical treatment is indicated to reduce the torsion, and bilateral orchiopexy is performed to prevent recurrence. Exocrine function, as determined by semen analysis, is often abnormal after unilateral torsion.     

实验性睾丸不全扭转的彩色多普勒超声研究

目的探讨实验性睾丸扭转的早期彩色多普勒超声特征。方法选用6只健康杂种犬,制成12个睾丸不全扭转模型。应用7～14MHz探头,连续24h观察扭转前、后不同时段睾丸及精索彩色多普勒超声表现,并与相应时段睾丸穿刺活检病理结果对比研究。结果扭转后睾丸体积较扭转前显著增大(P<0.05),睾丸在血流信号消失后开始出现不均匀回声,扭转上段的睾丸动脉阻力指数较扭转前显著增高(P<0.05),扭转下段睾丸动脉、睾丸包膜动脉及睾丸内动脉血流阻力指数较扭转前显著降低(P<0.05)。病理结果显示睾丸在不同时段发生不同程度的损害。结论睾丸不全扭转24h内的动态超声表现揭示了睾丸扭转早期血流动力学变化的病理基础,为临床早期诊断睾丸扭转提供较可靠的实验依据。     

High-frequency color Doppler ultrasonography of the spermatic cord arteries: resistive index variation in a cohort of 51 healthy men.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the normal range of Doppler ultrasonographic measurements of spermatic cord arteries in a cohort of healthy men. METHODS: The spermatic cord arteries of 51 men were interrogated with color Doppler ultrasonography. The resistive index (RI) of each artery was measured for the entire cohort; peak systolic and end-diastolic velocity values were obtained in a smaller subgroup (n = 31). The artery with the lowest RI was labeled A; the other 2 arteries were identified as B and C. RESULTS: Three separate arteries were identified within the spermatic cord in all individuals. The median RI values for arteries A, B, and C were 0.70 (range, 0.48-0.82), 0.84 (0.67-0.90), and 0.84 (0.72-0.92), respectively. One-way analysis of variance showed a significant difference between the mean RIs of arteries A and B (P < .0001) and arteries A and artery C (P < .0001) but not between B and C (P = .49). Peak systolic and end-diastolic velocity values differed significantly between arteries A and B (P < .0001) and arteries A and C (P < .0001) but not between B and C (P = .31). No age effect was shown for the RI measurements of the cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Color Doppler ultrasonography enables the objective quantification of Doppler measurements of arteries within the spermatic cord. Knowledge of the normal range of Doppler measurements for spermatic cord arteries that supply the testes may be a useful adjunct to the assessment of the testes.     

Lymphoma of the spermatic cord: Sonographic appearance

Primary lymphoma of the spermatic cord is a rare disease accounting for about 1.6% of primary spermatic cord tumors. We hereby present a new case in which color Doppler ultrasound (US), contrast‐enhanced US, and MRI suggested a specific diagnosis that was subsequently confirmed pathologically. Color Doppler US revealed mostly hypoechoic, slighly hypervascular tissue surrounding the normal spermatic vessels, which was markedly hypervascular at contrast‐enhanced US. MRI showed diffuse infiltration by homogeneously enhancing tissue surrounding the spermatic vessels hypointense to testis on T2‐weighted images, isointense on T1‐weighed images, lacking fat tissue, with relatively high signal intensity on diffusion‐weighted images. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 42 :509–512, 2014     

急性实验性睾丸不全扭转超声与超声造影诊断的对比研究

目的探讨超声与超声造影(CEUS)在急性实验性睾丸不全扭转诊断中的价值。方法健康杂种犬8只,随机选择一侧精索扭转,制备7只睾丸不全扭转动物模型及1只睾丸完全扭转动物模型。于扭转前、扭转后2h、4h、6h用二维超声(2DU)观察睾丸内部回声,测量精索的直径及睾丸体积;用彩色多普勒成像(CDFI)及能量多普勒成像(PDI)观察血供情况,比较二者的阳性检出率。每只犬于扭转后即刻或(和)6h行CEUS,并于同一时间点采用CDFI及PDI观察睾丸血供情况,并比较阳性检出率。实验结束后将睾丸送病理检查。结果扭转后2、4、6h扭转段精索直径分别为(7.88±1.47)mm、(8.76±0.84)mm及(9.44±0.81)mm,均较对照侧(5.49±0.42)mm及扭转前(5.79±0.72)mm明显增粗(P0.05)。CDFI、PDI观察睾丸不全扭转不同时间后总阳性检出率分别是14/28、17/28,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。CDFI、PDI及CEUS观察同一时间点的睾丸不全扭转后总阳性检出率分别是6/10、6/10、10/10,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。病理结果显示睾丸无明显变化或仅表现为间质轻度充血水肿。结论精索扭转段增粗对判断急性睾丸不全扭转有重要意义;对早期睾丸不全扭转的诊断,CDFI及PDI阳性检出率相当,而CEUS则优于CDFI和PDI。     

ACR Appropriateness Criteria ® acute onset of scrotal pain--without trauma, without antecedent mass

Men or boys, who present with acute scrotal pain without prior trauma or a known mass, most commonly suffer from torsion of the spermatic cord; epididymitis or epididymoorchitis; or torsion of the testicular appendages. Less common causes of pain include a strangulated hernia, segmental testicular infarction, or a previously undiagnosed testicular tumor. Ultrasound is the study of choice to distinguish these disorders; it has supplanted Tc-99 m scrotal scintigraphy for the diagnosis of spermatic cord torsion. MRI should be used in a problem solving role if the ultrasound examination is inconclusive. The ACR Appropriateness Criteria ? are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed every two years by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and review include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of a well-established consensus methodology (modified Delphi) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures by the panel. In those instances where evidence is lacking or not definitive, expert opinion may be used to recommend imaging or treatment.