Ultrasonographic Examination of Scrotal Masses

Kim, Whon

Abstract

Diagnostic ultrasound was a simple, rapid, harmless, and painless method to visualize ultrascrotal contents, it provided information that was difficult to obtain on clinical examination. We recently tested the effectiveness of diagnostic ultrasound in 41 men with scrotal masses. In general, ultrasound was highly effective in differentiating and characterizing testicular and extratesticular masses. The following results were obtained. 1. The ultrasonic examination revealed 37 extratesticular lesions, 3 testicular lesions and 1 indeterminate lesion. Of the extratesticular lesions 22 were believed to be cystic but represented 18 hydroceles and 4 spermatoceles. 15 lesions were thought to be solid that represented epididymitis. 2. The accuracy rate the scrotal ultrasound, given a complete clinical history, was 97% in this series. 3. The tumor showed decreased echogenicity within the testicle, which was enlarged. The characteristic appearance of hydrocele, spermatocele were sonolucent cystic mass. The epididymis was enlarged in 11 patients with epididymitis, the echogenicity within testicle was decreased in 5 patients with epididymitis.