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Testicular torsion: sonomorphological appearance as a predictor for testicular viability and outcome in neonates and children

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Abstract

Introduction

Testicular torsion in children is found both in neonates [perinatal testicular torsion (PTT), <30th day of life] and in older children [testicular torsion (TT)]. Prediction of testicular viability is essential for deciding whether to perform emergency exploration surgery. The aim of the present study, therefore, was to investigate the sonomorphological parameters as predictors for testicular viability.

Materials and methods

All our cases of sonographically diagnosed and surgically confirmed testicular torsion (n = 25) in a 7.5-year period were reviewed. We evaluated the overall group and two subgroups, PTT (n = 9) and TT (n = 16), and assessed the following sonomorphological parameters: normal echogenicity (homogeneous), diffuse hyper-/hypoechogenicity (homogeneous) and focal hyper-/hypoechogenicity (heterogeneous). These findings were correlated with the testicular recovery rate.

Results

In both groups, we found the highest recovery rates in testes with normal, homogeneous echogenicity and a zero recovery rate in testes with heterogeneous echogenicity (p = 0.0117).

Conclusions

By using the sonomorpohological criteria presented here, testicular viability can be appraised in all age groups to help determine the prognosis for testicular outcome. In PTT, a nonperfused, homogeneously appearing testis represents the initial phase of torsion. Only for this type is there hope for salvage. In addition to the intraoperative appearance, a testis that is preoperatively heterogeneous in appearance can support the decision for orchiectomy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pediatric Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 110, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany

    Martin Chmelnik, Stefan Holland-Cunz & Patrick Günther

  2. Division of Pediatric Radiology, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 153, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany

    Jens-Peter Schenk

  3. Unit of Documentation and Statistics, Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 110, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany

    Ulf Hinz

Authors
  1. Martin Chmelnik
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  2. Jens-Peter Schenk
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  3. Ulf Hinz
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  4. Stefan Holland-Cunz
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  5. Patrick Günther
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Correspondence to Martin Chmelnik.

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Chmelnik, M., Schenk, JP., Hinz, U. et al. Testicular torsion: sonomorphological appearance as a predictor for testicular viability and outcome in neonates and children. Pediatr Surg Int 26, 281–286 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-009-2534-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-009-2534-4

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