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Scrotal Ultrasound

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Practical Urological Ultrasound

Abstract

Portability, safety, economy, and efficiency, together with the ability to accurately and rapidly define pathology, have made ultrasound the primary imaging modality for evaluation of the scrotum, testis, and paratesticular structures. These factors provide for timely diagnosis and treatment. Scrotal ultrasound is essential in the diagnosis of testicular cancer and is particularly helpful when a physical examination is inconclusive or when the disease process prevents adequate examination. The detailed imaging of ultrasonography is often a vital component in the diagnosis of symptoms including scrotal pain, trauma, infertility, and abnormal findings on physical exam. This chapter will explore the techniques and protocols for performing scrotal ultrasounds in order to make the most thorough assessment of patient symptoms leading to diagnosis.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The density of soft tissues is roughly that of water 1.0 g/cc and ranges between 0.92 in adipose tissue and 1.06 in muscle (cortical bone density is 1.8 g/cc) which is miniscule variability compared to the three to four orders of magnitude variations in elasticity observed in tissues and thus differences in wave velocity can be nearly entirely attributed to differences in the elastic moduli [19].

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Goldenberg, E., Richards, G., Gilbert, B.R. (2017). Scrotal Ultrasound. In: Fulgham, P., Gilbert, B. (eds) Practical Urological Ultrasound. Current Clinical Urology. Humana Press, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43868-9_6

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