Doctors recommend an ultrasound of the scrotum for many patients. This is a safe and absolutely painless procedure that allows a specialist to examine the organs of the scrotum, evaluate their structure, study the features of blood flow, and detect the presence of any pathological changes.
Of course, men are looking for more information. What is a procedure? What diseases are diagnosed with its help? How to make an ultrasound of the scrotum? Is any special preparation necessary for this? Are there any contraindications? What do normal indicators look like? The answers to these questions will be discussed in this article.
What is a procedure?
Ultrasound of the scrotum is often included in the process of diagnosing a particular disease of the reproductive system. Such a procedure is based on the property of human tissues to reflect ultrasonic waves.
This is a fairly affordable and simple diagnostic technique that allows you to determine the size of the testicle and examine its condition, evaluate the shape and function of the appendages, partially examine the spermatic cord, and when using special equipment, also analyze the operation of blood vessels.
Ultrasound of the scrotum: advantages of the technique
As you know, the scrotum consists of various membranes, inside which important structures are enclosed, including the testes, appendages, spermatic cords, and vessels supplying tissues with oxygen and nutrients. In the presence of various diseases of the reproductive system, sometimes a general examination and palpation of the scrotum is not enough - you need to study its internal contents.
Ultrasound has several advantages. To begin with, it is worth saying that this is a completely painless and safe procedure that has virtually no contraindications - patients can undergo it regardless of age (the examination is carried out even for small children).
Despite some excitement around the issue of the influence of ultrasonic waves on the functioning of human organs, to date there is no data that would confirm the presence of negative effects.
In addition, a similar procedure can be carried out in almost any clinic. Diagnostics using ultrasound is much cheaper than, for example, computed and magnetic resonance imaging, and therefore more accessible.
An ultrasound with sensors for dopplerography helps not only to study the structure of the scrotum organs and determine their size, but also to study the nature of blood flow.
As for the shortcomings, they are practically nonexistent. Of course, during the procedure, you can get a lot of useful information, but, for example, you can not determine whether the compaction in the tissues of the testis is malignant or benign.
Indications for the procedure
An ultrasound of the scrotum is recommended for suspected various diseases of the reproductive system of a man. Indication for the procedure is:
- If a couple has problems conceiving a baby, but the reasons for infertility have not yet been found.
- The indications include an increase in the testicles and their appendages.
- The procedure is performed if a man cannot achieve an erection, and the causes of this condition are not yet known.
- With edema and severe pain in the scrotum, doctors can also prescribe an ultrasound.
- If there is a suspicion of the presence of inflammatory processes in the organs of the scrotum (for example, orchitis, epididymitis, orchoepididymitis).
- If in the tissues of the testicle some compaction has formed, tumors of unknown origin.
- Ultrasound is also included in the list of mandatory diagnostic measures that are carried out if the teenager is observed too late or, conversely, early puberty.
- A similar diagnosis is carried out if the results of the spermogram indicate the presence of problems in the reproductive system of men.
- The indications include inflammation of the lymph nodes located close to the genitourinary organs.
- If there is a suspicion of the development of varicocele, then an ultrasound examination can confirm the doctor’s suggestion.
- If the patient does not have one or both testicles.
- The procedure is carried out with an inguinal hernia, if the doctor suspects that her tissues could partially penetrate the scrotum cavity.
- This technique is used to monitor the results of treatment of chronic diseases, the growth or decrease of tumors, cysts and other structures.
- An ultrasound of the scrotum is performed before and after the urological operation. So the doctor can draw up a more effective scheme of action during surgical intervention and evaluate the speed and degree of tissue healing.
Using ultrasound equipment, pathological processes and the appearance of uncharacteristic seals can be detected. Sometimes such studies are used to confirm an existing diagnosis, and sometimes in order to conduct an initial examination.
Ultrasound scrotum: preparation
In fact, this type of diagnosis does not require special training. Before ultrasound of the scrotum, patients are advised to perform all standard hygiene procedures. Before carrying out the manipulations, people are sometimes recommended to change into a spacious hospital gown. In any case, you should be prepared for the fact that you have to remove your underwear. It is important that the cabinet maintains a comfortable temperature, as the scrotum organs respond to cold - this can slightly distort the examination results.
Scheme of the procedure
How do ultrasound scrotum? Actually the procedure is quite simple. It is carried out using a linear ultrasonic sensor. This diagnostic technique requires the doctor to have an ideal knowledge of anatomy.
The patient is laid on his back (sometimes on his side). The scrotum skin is covered with a special gel that improves the transmission of ultrasonic waves. Using the sensor, the doctor examines the internal structures - the image is displayed on the screen. The procedure rarely takes more than 10-15 minutes. Manipulation is painless. The remaining gel after the procedure is removed with a napkin.
This is a non-invasive technique, so you should not be afraid of pain. Only slight discomfort from contact with a cold gel is possible. Pain and burning appear only if there is an inflammatory process - in such cases, it is worth warning the doctor about your condition so that the specialist carries out all the manipulations more carefully.
Dopplerography and its features
An ultrasound of the scrotum with doppler is performed according to the same scheme. During the procedure, special sensors are used that record information about the blood flow. Using dopplerography, a doctor can evaluate the quality and intensity of blood supply. This procedure is prescribed for patients with suspected torsion of the testicle, varicose veins of the scrotum, as well as a number of other pathologies associated with impaired structure or functioning of the vessels.
What diseases can be diagnosed by the technique
An ultrasound of the scrotum is part of the initial diagnosis. During the procedure, you can determine the presence of the following pathologies:
- congenital or acquired dropsy;
- hypogonadism;
- the formation of calcifications in the tissues of the testis;
- the presence of cysts, tumors and other formations;
- abscesses of the appendages;
- the presence of injuries of the scrotum;
- lymphocele, hematocele.
In most cases, ultrasound results alone are not enough. To make an accurate diagnosis, a man passes various tests and undergoes additional diagnostic procedures.
What indicators can be considered the norm?
In modern medical practice, ultrasound of the scrotum is very often performed. Photos, indications, advantages of the technique and features of carrying out - with this information you have already become acquainted.
But what do the results mean? What indicators can be considered normal:
- During the procedure, the testes should be determined. These structures, as a rule, have even, clear contours, a homogeneous structure. Additional tumors in the tissues of the testis should not be.
- Appendages should also be uniform, with smooth edges. The size of the head should not exceed 10-15 mm, but the tail and body are normally not visible.
- A homogeneous free liquid of approximately 1-2 ml is allowed.
- The scrotal wall thickness is usually 8 mm.
Are there any contraindications?
Ultrasound of the scrotum is a completely safe and painless procedure, so there are no absolute contraindications to its conduct. There are only a few restrictions, which for the most part are temporary:
- the presence of inflammatory and infectious diseases on the skin of the scrotum;
- allergic reactions;
- erosion, sores, scratches, non-healing wounds after surgery, ulcers on the tissues of the treated area.
In the above situations, the patient must first undergo a course of treatment and wait for the full restoration of skin tissue. After this, you can conduct an ultrasound.
How much does the procedure cost?
Ultrasound examination of the scrotum is offered in many clinics. Of course, the cost of the service will fluctuate, since it depends on the quality of the equipment used, the pricing policy of the medical center and the doctor who conducts the procedure. On average, the cost is about 1000-2000 rubles, so the procedure is affordable for most patients.