Type:
Educational Exhibit
Keywords:
Genital / Reproductive system male, Abdomen, MR, Contrast agent-intravenous, Neoplasia, Inflammation, Ischaemia / Infarction
Authors:
F. Bosch Barragan1, B. Consola1, M. PITARCH DIAGO1, A. B. A. B. CASTRO GARCIA2, J. Puig Domingo3, J. Martin Martinez1; 1Sabadell/ES, 2BARCELONA/ES, 3Sabadell, Barcelona/ES
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2018/C-2512
Background
In recent years,
MRI has proven useful in the diagnosis of testicular lesions.
In the classical approach to testicular lesions,
ultrasound is the imaging modality of choice because of its accessibility and ability to establish a diagnosis in most cases.
Computed tomography (CT) has a role in the study of the extent of testicular cancer.
Given the widespread use of plain-film chest X-rays,
they are occasionally the first imaging test in patients with testicular cancer detected after the discovery of lung metastases.
MRI has a complementary role in patients with suspected testicular lesions; it is useful in cases in which the ultrasound findings are inconclusive.
The advantages of MRI over other imaging techniques are:
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It makes it possible to differentiate between intra- and extra-testicular lesions.
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It has a larger field-of-view,
showing the inguinal region and lesser pelvis (useful in cryptorchidism).
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It provides better characterization of lesion contents (fat,
blood,
fibrosis…) and makes it possible to differentiate between solid and cystic lesions.
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It makes it possible to evaluate lesion enhancement.
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It is useful for local staging in testicular cancer.