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.     

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。     

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。     

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.     

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.     

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。     

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.     

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;...     

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。     

Gray-scale and power doppler sonographic appearances of acute inflammatory diseases of the scrotum

PURPOSE: We describe the spectrum of gray-scale and power Doppler sonographic appearances in inflammatory scrotal diseases. METHODS: Twenty-five patients ranging in age from 3 to 69 years underwent gray-scale and power Doppler sonography with multifrequency transducers of 7-9 MHz or 10-13 MHz. In addition, color Doppler and power Doppler findings were compared in 7 cases. RESULTS: In all 5 prepubertal patients, power Doppler imaging demonstrated hyperemia associated with epididymitis and, in some cases, orchitis. Among the 20 pubertal and adult patients, power Doppler imaging revealed increased vascularity associated with spermatic cord involvement, epididymitis, orchiepididymitis, or orchitis. Enlargement and heterogeneity of the epididymis and/or testis were seen in 11 patients, with vas efferens ectasia in 3 patients. Abscess formation and testicular infarction were easily depicted by power Doppler imaging. In 5 cases total, hyperemia was the only sonographic finding of inflammation. In the comparison between color and power Doppler imaging, a subjective increase in the number and length of vessels was seen with power Doppler imaging. CONCLUSIONS: Power Doppler imaging is an easy and fast Doppler modality for evaluating inflammatory conditions of the scrotum and proved especially useful in cases with no gray-scale sonographic anomalies, in prepubertal patients, and in patients with abscesses or ischemic lesions.     

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。     

能量多普勒显像与彩色多普勒血流显像诊断急性实验性睾丸扭转

目的 :本文比较 PDI与 CDFI显示不同程度睾丸血流灌注的准确性。方法 :选用 6只健康杂种犬 ,手术暴露睾丸 ,随机选一侧依次旋转 180°、 2 70°、 36 0°及 45 0°,制成不同程度睾丸扭转模型及睾丸扭转复位模型。分别用 PDI和 CDFI显像 ,并进行睾丸血流分级评定和显像比较。结果 :部分性睾丸扭转仅在睾丸扭转 180°时 PDI示血流正常 3例 ,其余均血流明显减少。睾丸扭转复位后睾丸血流明显增多。睾丸扭转 2 70°以上及扭转复位的血流评分均与正常睾丸评分有显著差异 (p<0 .0 5 )。 PDI与 CDFI在本实验条件下的睾丸血流显示无明显差别 (p>0 .0 5 )。结论 :PDI可准确显示不同程度的睾丸血流 ,有助于不同程度睾丸扭转的判断 ,但 PDI显示犬睾丸血流并不优于 CDFI     

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.     

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。     

Torsion of the spermatic cord: sonographic diagnosis

This article describes the ultrasound guidelines for evaluating patients with spermatic cord torsion, including gray-scale, Doppler with spectral analysis, and color and power Doppler sonography. The sonographic and Doppler features of acute, subacute, and chronic torsion of the spermatic cord are demonstrated and discussed.     

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。     

超声诊断睾丸扭转的价值

目的探讨应用高频超声、彩色血流图及能量图对睾丸扭转的诊断价值。方法连续选择临床确诊睾丸扭转33例,用高频二维超声观察左右睾丸、附睾及精索的形态大小及内部回声等;用彩色血流图及能量图观察睾丸及附睾的血供信息。结果超声诊断睾丸扭转的敏感性、特异性和准确性分别为97％、80％、95％。结论高频超声、彩色血流图及能量图对睾丸扭转的诊断有重要的临床价值。     

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.     

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.