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Imaging Scrotal Trauma

  • Chapter
Scrotal Pathology

Part of the book series: Medical Radiology ((Med Radiol Diagn Imaging))

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Abstract

Scrotal injuries may result from either blunt or penetrating traumas. The former usually require immediate surgical exploration, while management of the latter is more complex. If the tunica albuginea is intact the lesion can be usually managed conservatively, while immediate operation is necessary if albugineal disruption is suspected. Ultrasound is the first-line imaging modality to assess testis integrity. Contour irregularity and discontinuity of the tunica albuginea are signs of testicular rupture. Color Doppler interrogation allows direct evaluation of testicular perfusion and detection of ischemic changes following contusion, or post-traumatic torsion. Besides post-traumatic epididymitis, which is assessed effectively at color Doppler interrogation, sensitivity of ultrasound in assessment of epididymal injuries is poor. Hematomas and other fluid collections present different echotexture with time. They are hyperechoic first, and then isoechoic, with mixed echogenicity, and eventually hypoechoic. Other traumatic lesions to the scrotum in which imaging has a role are testicular dislocation, vascular lesions, and hematoceles. Due to its excellent contrast resolution, wider panoramicity, and possibility to characterize blood products, MR imaging is an accurate diagnostic adjunct in those patients for whom the findings from clinical and ultrasound evaluations are inconclusive.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, University of Trieste, Ospedale di Cattinara, Strada di Fiume 447, 34124, Trieste, Italy

    Michele Bertolotto, Marco M. Cavallaro, Paola Martingano & Maria A. Cova

  2. S.S.D. Radiologia d’Urgenza, Dipartimento di Radiologia e Diagnostica per Immagini Azienda Ospedaliera, Universitaria di Parma Ospedale Maggiore, Via Gramsci 14, 43100, Parma, Italy

    Massimo Valentino

  3. Radiologia Generale e Pronto Soccorso, Azienda Ospedialiera A. Cardarelli, Via Cardarelli 9, 80131, Naples, Italy

    Ciro Acampora

Authors
  1. Michele Bertolotto
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  2. Marco M. Cavallaro
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  3. Paola Martingano
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  4. Massimo Valentino
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  5. Ciro Acampora
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  6. Maria A. Cova
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michele Bertolotto .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Ospedale di Cattinara, Ist. Radiologia, UniversitĂ  Trieste, Strada di Fiume 149, Trieste, 34149, Italy

    Michele Bertolotto

  2. Ospedale di Cattinara, Department of Urology, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, Trieste, 34149, Italy

    Carlo Trombetta

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© 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Bertolotto, M., Cavallaro, M.M., Martingano, P., Valentino, M., Acampora, C., Cova, M.A. (2011). Imaging Scrotal Trauma. In: Bertolotto, M., Trombetta, C. (eds) Scrotal Pathology. Medical Radiology(). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/174_2011_175

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/174_2011_175

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-12455-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-12456-3

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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