Scrotum

Scrotum


NORMAL ANATOMY AND SONOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE


Testis


Symmetrical ovoid structure; homogeneous echotexture (Figure 42.1).


Length—3–5 centimeters; width 2–4 centimeters; anteroposterior (AP) diameter 3 centimeters.


Surrounded by dense white fibrous capsule (Tunica albuginea).


Epididymis


Elongated crescent-shaped structure.


Length—6–7 centimeters; has head, body, and tail.


Located superolaterally over posterior aspect of testis, iso/hypoechoic relative to testicle.


Tunica vaginalis


Parietal layer → Lines the scrotal wall.


Visceral layer → Envelopes the testis, epididymis, and proximal spermatic cord. Covers the entire testis except small area posteriorly called mediastinum testis (where spermatic cord and its contents join the testicle and seen as a linear echogenic band).


Blood supply


Arterial


  Testicular artery


  Deferential artery


  Cremasteric artery


Venous


Pampiniform plexus—Testicular vein drains into the inferior vena cava (IVC) on the right side and left renal vein on the left side.


Image


Figure 42.1 Normal scrotal echotexture.


Spermatic cord: Heterogeneous structure (echogenic) in close proximity to the head of epididymis. Color Doppler shows the presence of vessels in it.


USG TECHNIQUE


Supine position with patient’s scrotum supported by towels/sheet.


High frequency (7.5–15 MHz) linear array transducer used.


Scanning—Transverse and sagittal planes.


Valsalva maneuver—For evaluation of varicocele.


Indications for Scrotal USG


1.    Evaluation of acute scrotal disorder—Torsion, Inflammation, and trauma


2.    Evaluation of scrotal fluid collection


  Hydrocele


  Pyocele/Hematocele


3.    Evaluation of scrotal mass


  Extratesticular


  Intratesticular


4.    Evaluation of metastatic disease


  Retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy


  Testicular involvement—Lymphoma, leukemia


5.    Evaluation of varicocele in infertile men


6.    Evaluation of undescended testis


BENIGN CONDITIONS


Discovered incidentally


Cyst of Tunica albuginea—Mean age 40 years. Usually solitary and unilocular


Cyst of Tunica vaginalis—Rare; anechoic ± septations. Echoes d/t. Hemorrhage may be seen


Intratesticular cyst—Simple, well-defined cyst with posterior acoustic enhancement


1.    Tubular ectasia of rete testis:


Idiopathic, benign condition


Partial/complete obstruction of efferent ductules leading to cystic dilation


B/L and asymmetrical


USG findings:


Peripheral elongated structure containing multiple small cystic structures. No calcification, no solid component, and no flow on color Doppler.


2.    Epidermoid cysts


Benign, well circumscribed.


Second to fourth decade.


USG findings:


Alternating rings of hyperechogenicity and hypoechogenicity leading to characteristic ONION RING SIGN (Whorled appearance)


No flow on Doppler imaging (c.f. testicular masses)


3.    Abscess—Complication of epididymo-orchitis usually


Infectious causes → Mumps, small pox, influenza, and typhoid.


Noninfectious → Testicular torsion, infected tumor


USG findings:


Enlarged testicle containing cystic mass with hypoechoic/mixed echogenic areas


4.    Scrotal tuberculosis:


On USG:


Enlarged hypoechoic, heterogeneous epididymis with or without calcifications.

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Nov 6, 2018 | Posted by in ULTRASONOGRAPHY | Comments Off on Scrotum

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