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.     

Testicular ultrasound

Acute scrotal pain makes up approximately 0.5% of all complaints presenting to an emergency department. Some of the most com-mon diagnoses for this complaint are testicular torsion and epididymitis. Misdiagnosing testicular torsion can lead to organ loss,cosmetic deformity, and compromised fertility. Modem ultrasound examination of the scrotum is the test of choice for acute scrotal pathology and yields high accuracy compared with surgical exploration. A key component of the testicular examination is use of power and spectral Doppler ultrasonography. Examination of the acute scrotum should not be undertaken unless Doppler capability is available because the evaluation of blood flow is such an important part of diagnosis of testicular torsion, orchitis, epididymitis,trauma, and hemorrhage into a mass.     

小儿阴囊急症的诊断和处理（附106例临床分析）

目的：探讨小儿阴囊急症的临床诊断和处理方法。方法：回顾性分析我院自1985-1999年收治的106例睾丸扭转、睾丸附件扭转和睾丸附睾炎的小儿阴囊急症病例。对其在病史、体征和彩色多普勒超声等方面进行统计学处理。结果：全部14例睾丸扭转均有睾丸触痛和提睾反射消失。有6例睾丸扭转患者通过彩色多普勒超声证实而手术,睾丸附件扭转88.9%有附睾触痛,85.2%有睾丸上极触痛以及37.0%有硬结,睾丸附睾炎90.8%有阴囊红肿,结论：体格检查在鉴别小儿阴囊急症中有显著作用。提睾反射的消失是睾丸扭转最敏感。最准确的体格检查表现。彩色多普勒超声在小儿阴囊急症的诊断中是一项有价值的辅助检查。如已明确或怀疑睾丸扭转,应尽可能早地施行探查手术。     

急性阴囊疼痛疾病的彩色超声多普勒表现

目的探讨急性阴囊疼痛的彩色超声多普勒表现。方法应用彩色超声对69例急性阴囊疼痛患者检查并诊断，经内科治疗或外科手术后随访证实，临床确诊符合率100％。结果急性附睾炎42例，急性睾丸炎4例，睾丸扭转11例，外伤3例，其他病变3例，正常6例。结论彩色超声对各种急性阴囊疼痛疾病诊断具有重要临床诊断价值，是阴囊疼痛急诊中的首选检查方法。     

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.     

Ectopic ureter,renal dysplasia,and recurrent epididymitis in an infant: case report and review of the literature

The most common etiologies of acute scrotum in boys <1 year of age are torsion of the testis or an appendix, urogenital anomalies, and epididymitis. We report an infant with recurrent epididymitis associated with single‐system ectopic ureter opening into the seminal vesicle and dysplastic right kidney. Treatment included nephroureterectomy.     

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.     

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.     

超声多普勒检查在阴囊急症中的应用

目的 探讨阴囊急症的彩色多普勒血流显像（CDFI）和彩色多普勒能量图（CDE）特征及其鉴别诊断。方法 用CDFI和CDE观察64例阴囊急症病灶区血供状况,并与健侧比较。对37例急性附睾炎及睾丸炎的附睾动脉和3例早期睾丸扭转的睾丸内动脉的血流参数进行检测,并与30例正常人对照。结果 45例急性附睾炎及睾丸炎中37例表现为高血供,附睾内血流速度明显高于正常对照组,阻力指数低于正常对照组（P〈0．01）;5例病变侧睾丸无血供或低血供,睾丸内血流阻力指数增高,超声诊断睾丸扭转,与手术病理诊断相符;3例睾丸附件扭转,附件内无血流信号显示,而附着处组织血供增多;11例阴囊外伤中,睾丸完全破裂1例,部分破裂2例,挫伤5例,单纯血肿3例。结论 CDFI和CDE可准确地鉴别睾丸扭转、睾丸附件扭转和炎症,有助于睾丸损伤的临床治疗方案的选择,可作为阴囊急症诊断的首选检查方法。     

Diagnosis and treatment of the acute scrotum

Testicular torsion must be considered in any patient who complains of acute scrotal pain and swelling. Torsion of the testis is a surgical emergency because the likelihood of testicular salvage decreases as the duration of torsion increases. Conditions that may mimic testicular torsion, such as torsion of a testicular appendage, epididymitis, trauma, hernia, hydrocele, varicocele and Sch?nlein-Henoch purpura, generally do not require immediate surgical intervention. The cause of an acute scrotum can usually be established based on a careful history, a thorough physical examination and appropriate diagnostic tests. The onset, character and severity of symptoms must be determined. The physical examination should include inspection and palpation of the abdomen, testis, epididymis, scrotum and inguinal region. Urinalysis should always be performed, but scrotal imaging is necessary only when the diagnosis remains unclear. Once the correct diagnosis is established, treatment is usually straightforward.     

Color Doppler sonography in acute epididymitis and orchitis

Clinical diagnosis of patients with acute scrotal pain is frequently imperfect. Imaging, using nuclear medicine scintigraphy and hand-held continuous-wave Doppler ultrasound devices, has been used in these patients. We retrospectively analyzed 28 consecutive patients referred for scrotal sonography, all of whom had been imaged using color Doppler sonography. Of 22 patients with confirmed diagnoses, 11 had acute epididymitis/orchitis and 11 had another diagnosis. Ten of 11 patients with acute epididymitis/orchitis had increased epididymal flow. Eight also had increased testicular flow. None of the 11 patients without acute epididymitis/orchitis had increased flow. Our data suggest that color Doppler sonography may be useful in establishing the diagnosis of acute epididymitis/orchitis. This might decrease the need for scrotal exploration. No distinction could be made among scrotal lesions in the nonacute epididymitis/orchitis group. Sensitivity was inadequate to reliably detect flow in normal testicles, a prerequisite to accurately diagnose torsion. Newly improved sensitivity may enhance the utility of color Doppler sonography in assessing patients with acute scrotal pathology.     

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。     

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.     

彩色多普勒超声诊断和鉴别诊断小儿睾丸扭转

目的 评估彩色多普勒超声诊断及鉴别诊断小儿睾丸扭转的价值。 方法 回顾分析因急性阴囊肿痛而接受彩色多普勒超声检查的125例患儿的声像图特征,并与手术病理、临床最终诊断相比较。 结果 125例中,急性睾丸扭转14例,超声诊断符合率92.86%(13/14),均接受手术治疗,其中11例睾丸完全坏死切除,CDFI显示睾丸内无明显血流信号,3例手术复位后睾丸存活,CDFI示睾丸内有少量血流信号;急性睾丸附件扭转68例,睾丸上极或与附睾间见回声不均质结节,内无血流信号,超声诊断符合率97.06%(66/68);急性附睾炎43例,附睾内血流信号明显增多,超声诊断符合率100%(43/43)。 结论 彩色多普勒超声对小儿睾丸扭转具有较高的诊断及鉴别诊断价值,是临床首选的影像检查方法。     

Role of Doppler Ultrasonography in the Triage of Acute Scrotum in the Emergency Department

Objective. The purpose of this study was to examine the triage role of scrotal Doppler ultrasonography (DUS) as the primary preoperative diagnostic tool in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with acute scrotum. Methods. Patients who presented to the ED with acute scrotum and underwent scrotal DUS in the ultrasound unit over a 3‐year period (2004–2007) were included in the study. Patient characteristics, DUS findings, and clinical management were retrospectively collected and reviewed. Doppler ultrasonographic diagnoses were compared with histopathologic findings for patients who underwent exploration and with final diagnoses at the time of discharge for patients undergoing medical treatment. Results. A total of 620 consecutive patients with 669 DUS examinations were included. The most common scrotal DUS diagnoses were epididymitis, hydrocele, varicocele, and orchitis. Scrotal trauma was present in 77 cases. Hospitalization followed the initial ED evaluation for 155 patients; 68 underwent surgery. Testicular torsion was ultrasonographically suspected in 20 patients and confirmed in 18. Scrotal malignancy was incidentally diagnosed in 13 patients and testicular hematoma in 8. Doppler ultrasonography for the diagnosis of testicular torsion had 94% sensitivity, 96% specificity, 95.5% accuracy, an 89.4% positive predictive value (PPV), and a 98% negative predictive value (NPV). Doppler ultrasonography for the diagnosis of testicular malignancy had 92% sensitivity, 95% specificity, 94% accuracy, a 78.5% PPV, and a 98% NPV. Conclusions. Scrotal DUS is a highly sensitive preoperative diagnostic tool, thereby validating its routine use in the initial triage of patients with acute scrotum presenting to the ED.     

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.     

高频彩色多普勒超声在睾丸附睾急症诊断中的应用

目的探讨高频彩色多普勒技术诊断睾丸附睾急症的价值。方法回顾分析111例睾丸附睾急症患者的声像图资料。结果 111例中,急性附睾炎68例,急性睾丸附睾炎8例,睾丸扭转16例,睾丸附件扭转3例,睾丸血肿10例,睾丸破裂6例。结论高频彩色多普勒超声在诊断睾丸附睾急症方面有很高的临床价值。     

The Fountain Sign

Objective. Acute idiopathic scrotal edema (AISE) is an important differential diagnosis in children presenting with an acute scrotum. Sonography plays an important role in excluding testicular torsion, epididymitis, and torsion of a testicular appendage and confirming the diagnosis of AISE. The purpose of this series was to evaluate the relevance of color Doppler sonography (CDS) in children presenting with AISE. Methods. Ten patients with AISE who underwent CDS during a 25‐month period were retrospectively analyzed with regard to typical sonographic findings distinguishing AISE from other causes of scrotal edema. Results. Marked bilateral scrotal wall thickening and hyperemia resembling a fountain were detected in the transverse plane on CDS in all patients. Conclusions. This report highlights the usefulness of CDS in diagnosing AISE by showing that the “fountain sign” is related to hypervascularity of the scrotal wall. In an acute scrotum, this sign may help differentiate AISE from other etiologies.     

高频超声、彩色血流图及能量图在阴囊急症诊断中的临床价值

目的 探讨应用高频超声、彩色血流图及能量图在阴囊急症诊断中的临床价值。方法 选择连续观察、追踪随访临床确诊的阴囊急症87例。其中阴囊外伤13例，急性睾丸扭转12例，急性附睾炎32例，急性睾丸炎7例，急性睾丸一附睾炎15例，急性睾丸附件扭转8例。用高频二维超声观察左、右睾丸、附睾的形态大小及内部回声等；用彩色血流图及能量图观察血供信息。结果 以睾丸一附睾内无血供诊断睾丸扭转，敏感性、特异性和准确性均为100％。以睾丸或／和附睾肿大及高血供诊断急性睾丸或／和附睾炎，敏感性94．4％、特异性97％和准确性95．4％。结论 高频超声、彩色血流图及能量图在阴囊急症诊断中有重要的临床价值，尤其是在鉴别急性睾丸扭转、急性睾丸附件扭转和急性睾丸或／和附睾炎方面有快速、准确的意义。     

Scrotal pain in the absence of torsion; need for vigilance

Epididymitis is a common presentation of acute testicular pain seen in the emergency department, the differential diagnosis being testicular torsion. The vast majority of young men with epididymitis have an infective aetiology and this settle with antibiotic treatment. The clinical course of a patient who presented with testicular pain is described. At ultrasonography, the patient was found to have the uncommon condition of testicular microlithiasis, a condition that has been linked to malignant disease. Emergency doctors should be aware of the potential consequences of returning scrotal pain consistent with epididymitis to the community on antibiotic treatment alone. All patients with probable epididymitis should have either a scrotal ultrasound or specialist follow up.