Ultrasound of the testicles is a very effective procedure, which is often performed to diagnose various diseases of the scrotum organs. This is a simple technique that allows you to get accurate results almost instantly.
Of course, patients are interested in additional information. What can show an ultrasound of the testicles in men? What are the indications for the procedure? How much will such a diagnosis cost? Is the examination dangerous? The answers to these questions in our article.
Ultrasound of the testicles: the essence of the technique, its advantages and disadvantages
It is no secret that ultrasound today is widely used for the diagnosis of certain diseases. And men are often referred for a procedure that involves examining the organs of the scrotum using ultrasound equipment.
A special ultrasonic sensor generates pulses that are reflected from the tissues of the human body. The reflected signals are fixed, which makes it possible to determine the density of a particular structure.
This technique has a huge number of advantages. To begin with, we note that this is a quick, simple, and non-invasive procedure. When it is performed, there is no contact with the patient’s blood, which makes infection impossible. The examination is painless and harmless, and the results can be obtained almost instantly. Equipment for ultrasound examination, as a rule, is available in each clinic. For patients, financially, this is a completely affordable procedure.
The technique allows you to examine not only the testicles, but also the vessels and soft tissues of the scrotum. As for the minuses, small tumors, abscesses and other structures on ultrasound can not always be seen. In any case, in modern medical practice, ultrasound is an integral part of the diagnosis of almost any disease of the internal organs.
When ultrasound is necessary, indications for the procedure
There are a huge number of indications for ultrasound of the testicles. In boys and adult men, the procedure helps to identify various diseases. A list of indications is worth a look. Diagnostic manipulation is prescribed in such situations:
- Male infertility
- An increase in testicles or their appendages.
- Reduction of the testicles (both on one and both sides).
- Erectile dysfunction and other problems with sexual activity.
- Orchitis, epididymitis and other inflammatory diseases of the structures of the scrotum (or suspicion of their development).
- Minor hemorrhages and hematomas in the tissues of the scrotum, formed as a result of injury to the groin area.
- Suspicion of the presence of tumors (both benign and malignant).
- If traces of blood were detected in semen samples during analysis.
- An increase in regional lymph nodes (for example, femoral, inguinal), which may indicate an inflammatory or malignant process in the organs of the scrotum.
- Varicose veins of the spermatic cord.
- Cryptorchidism (a pathological condition in which the testicle for one reason or another did not sink into the scrotum, but remained in the abdominal cavity).
- Before performing surgical procedures on the organs of the scrotum.
- Suspicion of oblique inguinal hernia.
- Swelling of the scrotum.
- To monitor the patient's condition after surgery or therapeutic treatment.
- boys are prescribed a study if they have puberty too late or too early.
Of course, sometimes additional tests are required to make a final diagnosis. Therefore, doctors prescribe not only ultrasound. This is a normal practice that should not be feared.
Do I need training
Ultrasound of the testicles is a very simple procedure that does not require special preparation. It will be enough only standard hygiene procedures immediately before the diagnosis. If we are talking about ultrasound of the testicles in children, then you should understand that the child sometimes needs psychological preparation. It is important to explain the features of the procedure to the boy.
Inspection Methodology
Ultrasound of the testicles - the procedure is quick and painless. First, the doctor treats the scrotum tissue with a special conductive gel, and then drives the skin with a high-frequency sensor. Such manipulations do not cause painful or unpleasant sensations. The patient lies on his back or on his side, which depends on which part of the scrotum needs to be examined by a specialist. Local anesthesia is required only if palpation of this part of the body is accompanied by sharp pains (this is observed, for example, with torsion of the testicles, inflammation, severe swelling).
The procedure lasts no longer than 15 - 30 minutes. Results are displayed on a computer monitor. After completing the diagnosis, the specialist draws up a conclusion with which the patient will have to go to the attending physician.
Interpretation of results, norm and pathology
During the procedure, the doctor draws attention to many physiological characteristics of the male body. What is one of the most important criteria for ultrasound in boys? The size of the testicles (testicles) is what the specialist looks at first.
How to decipher the test results? What is the normal size of the testicles in boys with ultrasound? In this case, much depends on the age of the patient. In a child aged 2 to 8 years, the width of the testicles ranges from 0.76 to 0.78 cm, and the length is from 1.48 to 1.53 cm. For boys of 8 - 10 years, this indicator is 0.86 - 0.88 / 1.82 cm. In children 11 - 13 years old, the size of the testicles is 1.62 / 3.09 - 3.12 cm. The sizes of the testicles among adolescents 14 - 17 years old are 2.05-2.12 / 3, 84-3.96.
After the onset of 18 years, the testes become final sizes. The width of the testicles of an adult male is 2.5 - 3 cm, and the length is 4-6 cm.
What diseases can be determined
What does an ultrasound testicle show? This diagnostic procedure makes it possible to quickly determine the presence of certain problems.
- For example, ultrasound can determine the presence of tumors in the tissues of the scrotum, which on the screen look like small inhomogeneous structures. The procedure makes it possible to identify small benign or malignant neoplasms and immediately begin treatment.
- During the procedure, you can see the stones and other stones, determine their exact location and size.
- The presence of a large amount of free fluid between the shells of the testis indicates the development of dropsy. This can also be seen on the screen during the examination.
- The appearance of a homogeneous formation of increased density often indicates the presence of an abscess.
- If there was an injury, then during the ultrasound the doctor can see the presence of blood and ruptures in the structures of the scrotum.
- The procedure allows you to diagnose varicocele - a pathology that is accompanied by varicose veins of the spermatic cord.
- During the examination, an inflammatory process can be detected.
Are there any contraindications
Ultrasound is a procedure that can be performed on patients of any age. There are contraindications to the implementation of such a diagnosis, but all of them are temporary. For example, it is not worth examining the scrotum with an ultrasound probe if there are open sores, erosions, ulcers, and other injuries on the skin tissues of this part of the body. In this case, you must first wait for healing. Temporary contraindications include the postoperative period. If the skin of the scrotum has fresh sutures, then the procedure is prescribed after healing.
Feasible side effects
Many people are wondering if such a procedure is dangerous to health. Despite rumors of the dangers of ultrasonic radiation, numerous medical studies have shown that this diagnostic technique is absolutely safe, especially when compared with alternative procedures, such as scrotal x-rays
Cost and patient reviews
Ultrasound is considered to be one of the most effective and affordable procedures that is carried out in almost every clinic. Doctors note that with the help of such a diagnostic technique, you can quickly examine the organs of the scrotum, identify violations and make a final diagnosis.
The procedure is painless, not associated with injuries and the development of side effects, which can also be attributed to the merits. During such manipulations, you can examine not only the testicles, but also the appendages and blood vessels. In most cases, it is the ultrasound that helps to make the final diagnosis. People write about this in their reviews about ultrasound of the testicles.
The advantages also include the affordable cost of the procedure. The price ranges from 900 to 2500 rubles (it all depends on the characteristics of the manipulation). Patients note that such a diagnosis is much cheaper than many other examination methods.