Overview

Scrotal imaging may be a useful adjunctive test to differentiate the causes of a swollen or painful testicle. Essentially, this entails differentiating acute testicular torsion, a surgical emergency, from acute epididymo-orchitis, which may be treated conservatively with antibiotic therapy.

Indications

• Differentiating acute testicular torsion and acute epididymo-orchitis.
• Evaluation of hydrocele spermatocele tumor abscess.
• Evaluation of chronic epididymitis.

Study Description

The patient is positioned supine on the imaging table. A towel is placed under the testes to support and separate them. The penis is taped upward on the lower abdomen. The radiopharmaceutical is injected intravenously and a dynamic study (a rapid series of short duration images) is acquired to evaluate the patency of blood flow to the testes. Following the dynamic flow study, static images are acquired immediately and then again 15 minute post-injection. The procedure will take 45 minutes to complete.

Examination Time

• Approximately 45 Minutes

Patient Preparation

• None