Pediatric testicular tumors: evaluation with gray-scale and color Doppler US.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the appearance of testicular neoplasms in pediatric patients at examination with gray-scale and color Doppler ultrasonography (US).


METHODS
Gray-scale and color Doppler US were performed in seven patients aged 8 1/2 months to 17 years 6 months (mean age, 7.8 years) with testicular neoplasms proved at histologic examination. Gray-scale images were evaluated for echogenicity and presence of testicular masses; color Doppler US was used to assess the presence and distribution of color flow.


RESULTS
Gray-scale US showed enlargement of the affected testis in all patients. Testicular echogenicity was normal in four prepubertal patients; discrete masses were seen in all three postpubertal patients. The gray-scale findings correlated with patient age. Color Doppler US demonstrated increased blood flow in six of seven testicular neoplasms. Three of the four patients with normal gray-scale echogenicity had diffuse hypervascularity and one had a focal hypervascular mass on color Doppler scans.


CONCLUSIONS
Color Doppler US is more helpful than gray-scale US in identification of testicular tumor.
Luker
G D
GD
Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110.
Siegel
M J
MJ
D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013737:Testis / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014465:Ultrasonics; D014463:Ultrasonography