Learning objectives
To focus on ultrasound scanning with a pictorial review of scrotum anatomy and its contents.
To describe and to illustrate the various scrotal pathologic conditions.
Background
•The scrotum consists of a thin layer of skin (<3mm) and underlying fascia (fig.1).
Each hemiscrotum contains a testis with its coverings,
epididymis,
and spermatic cord.
•A normal testis measures 5 × 3 × 2 cm in size.
•In healthy young men the ovoid testis measures 15 to 25 mL in volume.
•The testicular parenchyma consists of multiple lobules,
each of which is composed of many seminiferous tubules that lead via the tubuli recti to dilated spaces,
called the rete testis within the mediastinum
Scrotal...
Imaging findings OR Procedure details
SCROTAL PATHLOGY
Congenital anomalies :
Anomaly of testicular migration
Testicular ectopy (fig.6), cryptorchidism ,anorchidy and retractile testis are very common anomalies of testicular migration
They can be included in polymalformative entities .
Infertility and cancer are the two majors risks of cryptorchidism.
Anomaly of closure of the processus vaginalis (fig.7)
Anomaly of closure of the processus vaginalis may result in a communicating hydrocele (a),
hydrocele (b),
cyst of the cord (c and fig.8),
a congenital inguinal hernia (d) or congenital inguinoscrotal hernia (e and 9)....
Conclusion
In the pediatric population,
ultrasonography is essential in the diagnosis of developmental abnormalities,
epididymitis,
testicular torsion,
and testicular neoplasms.
In adults,
scrotal sonography is helpful in the evaluation of male infertility and in differentiating cysts from solid neoplasms.
Doppler technology enables the assessment of vascular physiologic characteristics,
flow,
and perfusion mainly in acute scrotum.
High-resolution real-time sonography has a high degree of accuracy and sensitivity in the detection,
characterization,
and localization of scrotal lesions,
making it the undisputed modality of choice for imaging the scrotum.
References
VS.
Dogra,
RH.
Gottlieb,
M Oka,
DJ Ruben.Sonography of the Scrotum.
Radiology; 2003,227,18-36.