Testicular Ultrasound

Ultrasound imaging of the scrotum is the primary imaging method used to evaluate disorders of the testicles.

This study is typically used to help diagnose symptoms such as:

Ultrasound is also a valuable tool for evaluating the epididymis (a tube that collects sperm made by the testicles) and the prostate.

Some of the problems ultrasound imaging can identify include:

A sudden onset of pain in the scrotum may be very serious. The most common cause of scrotal pain is epididymitis, an inflammation of the epididymis. It is treatable with antibiotics. Left untreated, this condition can lead to an abscess or loss of blood to the testicles.

Ultrasound can detect an absent or undescended testicle as well. In rare cases a testicle may fail to develop. More often, patients have an undescended testicle. It is estimated that approximately three percent of full-term baby boys have undescended testicles. It's important to diagnose an undescended testicle because it has a very high probability of developing cancer if left untreated.

Ultrasound can identify testicular torsion, the twisting of the spermatic cord that contains the vessels that supply blood to the scrotum. Caused by abnormally loose attachments of tissues that are formed during fetal development, torsion commonly appears during adolescence and is very painful. Torsion requires immediate surgery to avoid permanent damage to the testes.

Ultrasound also can be used to locate and evaluate masses (lumps or tumors) in the scrotum. The majority of scrotal masses are located outside of the testes. Most masses found outside the testicles are benign or non-cancerous; most inside the testicles are malignant or cancerous. Collections of fluid and abnormalities of the blood vessels may appear as masses and need to be assessed by ultrasound.