Analysis of intratesticular arterial anatomy with emphasis on transmediastinal arteries.
OBJECTIVE
The vascular anatomic features of the testis were studied with color Doppler ultrasound to determine the prevalence and anatomic relationships of transmediastinal arteries.


METHODS
Fifty testes in 26 men were prospectively examined to identify and analyze transmediastinal arteries by means of color Doppler equipment optimized for detection of slow blood flow.


RESULTS
Transmediastinal arteries were present in 26 testes (52%). In the 24 men in whom both testes were evaluated, transmediastinal arteries were unilateral in 12 men (50%), bilateral in six men (25%), and absent in six men (25%). In four testes, transmediastinal arteries were multiple; in the rest, they were single. In most testes, they occurred in the superior half of the testis. Only three transmediastinal arteries (6%) branched within the testicular parenchyma. Seventeen transmediastinal veins were seen in 13 testes (26%). Ten of these 17 veins (59%) were paired with transmediastinal arteries; the seven others (41%) were isolated.


CONCLUSIONS
Transmediastinal arteries occur in approximately one-half of normal testes and should be considered normal.
Middleton
W D
WD
Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110.
Bell
M W
MW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001158:Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003116:Color; D005832:Genital Diseases, Male / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008482:Mediastinum / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012611:Scrotum / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013737:Testis / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014680:Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging