Title: Role of Ultrasonography & Colour Doppler in Scrotal Pathologies

Authors: Drumadala I Gajbhiye, Swenil A Shah, Meenakshi I Gajbhiye

 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v8i5.26

Abstract

 

Introduction: Ultrasonography (USG) plays a major role in distinguishing intra-testicular from extra-testicular abnormalities. The present day diagnostic armamentarium includes gray scale USG, Doppler studies, CT, MRI in addition to radioisotope studies and testicular angiography. While CT and MRI have dominated imaging of other regions of the body, they have certain limitations in evaluation of scrotal diseases in terms of radiation, cost & availability. USG is exceptionally well suited to study of scrotum and its contents. USG is simple to perform, rapid, non-invasive relatively inexpensive, easily reproducible, widely available and does not involve irradiation of gonads.

Objectives: To evaluate the accuracy of the High Frequency Ultrasound and Colour Doppler in the diagnosis of scrotal pathologies.

Material and Methods: The prospective study was conducted on 200 patients referred for evaluation of scrotal pathology for the period of 2 years from May 2018 to March 2020 from department of surgery and urology.

Results: High frequency grey scale US with Color Doppler sonography accurately differentiates between testicular ischemia / torsion from acute inflammatory diseases in acute painful scrotal conditions. It is also highly sensitive in differentiating intra-testicular from extra testicular origin of scrotal masses. It is highly sensitive in differentiating solid from cystic scrotal masses.

Conclusion: High-frequency ultrasonography and color Doppler sonography has high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing and evaluating scrotal pathologies. In addition, lack of ionizing radiation, simplicity, wide availability, cost effectiveness and repeatability makes it an extremely valuable modality for scrotal pathologies.

Keywords: Orchitis, Epididymitis, Varicocele, USG, Color Doppler, Scrotum.

References

  1. Adekanmi AJ, Adeniji-Sofoluwe AT, Obajimi G, Okafor E. A 10-Year review of ultrasonographic findings of scrotal diseases in Ibadan, South Western, Nigeria. Afr J Med Health Sci; 2018;17:60-5.
  2. Priyan Voltaire R, Ritesh Kondeti. A study on evaluation of scrotal lesions by gray scale and colour doppler ultrasonography at a tertiary care hospital of south India. International Journal of Contemporary Medicine Surgery and Radiology. 2018;3(3):C153-C157. doi: 10.21276/ijcmsr.2018.3.3.34 
  3. Bhardwaj Patiala: Role of Color Doppler in Scrotal Lesions. Indian J Radiol Imaging. 2009 Aug; 19(3): 187–190. doi: 10.4103/0971-3026.54874: 10.4103/0971-3026.54874.
  4. Ibrahim MZ, Tabari AM, Igashi JB, Lawal S, Ahmed M. Scrotal doppler ultrasound evaluation in Zaria, Nigeria. Niger J Basic Clin Sci 2016;13:89-93.
  5. Donald Orr, Skonlunick ML : Sonographic evaluation of the abnormal scrotum. Clinical Radiology 31: 109- 113, 1980.
  6. Peter H Arger, et al, Prospective analysis of the value of Scrotal Ultrasound. Radiology 1981; 141: 763-766.
  7. Max K Willscher et al, Scrotal Ultrasonography. The Journal of Urology, 1983; 130:931 – 935.
  8. Horstman W G, Scrotal inflammatory disease-color Doppler evaluation, Radiology1991; 179:55-59.
  9. Robert M Lerner et al, Color Doppler US in the evaluation of Acute Scrotal Disease, Radiology, 1990; 176:355-358.
  10. Farriol VG, Comella XP, Agromayor EG,Creixams XS, Martinez DL, Torre IB.Gray-scale and power Doppler sonographic appearances of acute inflammatory diseases of the scrotum. J of Clin Ultrasound 2000;28 : 67-72.
  11. Luker, Color Doppler of scrotum in children, AJR 1994; 163:649-655.
  12. George R Leopold, et al. High resolution ultrasonography of scrotal pathology Radiology 1979; 131: 719-722.
  13. Meacham RB, Townsend RR, Rademacher D, Drose JA. The incidence of varicoceles in the general population when Evaluated by Physical examination, gray scale sonography and color Doppler Sonography, J Urol, 1994; 151: 1535-1538 .
  14. Petros JA, Andriole GL, Middleton WD, Picus DA. Correlation of testicular color Doppler US, physical examination and venography in detection of left sided varicocele in men with infertility: J Urol. 1991 Apr;145(4):785-8.
  15. Arger PH, Mulhern CB Jr, Coleman BG, Pollack HM, Wein A, Koss J, Arenson R, Banner M.Prospective analysis of the value of Scrotal Ultrasound. Radiology.1981 Dec; 141(3):763-6.

Corresponding Author

Shah Swenil

Dept of Radiology Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Govt Medical College & CPR General Hospital, Dasara Chowk, Kolhapur 416003