Differential diagnosis of focal epididymal lesions with gray scale sonographic, color doppler sonographic, and clinical features

Dal Mo Yang, Sun Ho Kim, Ha Na Kim, Jee Hee Kang, Tae Seok Seo, Hee Young Hwang, Hyung Sik Kim, Hyuni Cho

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    21 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Objective. To determine whether focal epididymal lesions can be differentiated on gray scale sonographic, color Doppler sonographic, and clinical features. Methods. This was a retrospective analysis of 60 focal epididymal lesions in 57 patients. Focal epididymal lesions were classified into 3 groups: nonspecific epididymitis (n = 43), tuberculous epididymitis (n = 10), and benign epididymal masses (n = 7). The following gray scale sonographic, color Doppler sonographic, and clinical features were analyzed: size, location, echogenicity, and heterogeneity of the lesion; hypoechoic or hyperechoic rim presence; hydrocele presence; degree of blood flow in the lesion; patient's age; duration of symptoms; and scrotal tenderness. Results. Lesions were larger in patients with tuberculous epididymitis than in those with either nonspecific epididymitis (P = .007) or benign epididymal masses (P = .0017). The hypoechoic or hyperechoic rim of the lesion was more common in patients with benign epididymal masses than in those with nonspecific epididymitis (P = .002). The degree of blood flow in the lesion was greater in patients with nonspecific epididymitis than in those with either tuberculous epididymitis (P = .0019) or benign epididymal masses (P < .001). The duration of symptoms was shorter in patients with nonspecific epididymitis than in those with either tuberculous epididymitis (P < .001) or benign epididymal masses (P = .0092). The frequency of scrotal tenderness was higher in patients with nonspecific epididymitis than in those with either tuberculous epididymitis (P < .001) or benign epididymal masses (P < .001). Conclusions. Gray scale sonographic, color Doppler sonographic, and some clinical features may be helpful for differential diagnosis of focal epididymal lesions.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)135-142
    Number of pages8
    JournalJournal of Ultrasound in Medicine
    Volume22
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2003 Feb 1

    Keywords

    • Doppler sonography
    • Epididymal tumors
    • Epididymis
    • Epididymitis
    • Sonography

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Radiological and Ultrasound Technology
    • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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