title: A prospective evaluation of scrotal ultrasonography in clinical practice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To prospectively evaluate scrotal ultrasonography (SUS) in patients presenting with scrotal symptoms and to make recommendations about use of SUS in clinical practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-eight men with scrotal symptoms were examined by a urologist and independently underwent SUS by one radiologist with no knowledge of the clinical diagnosis. The clinical and SUS diagnoses were compared and the effect on subsequent management recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The clinical and SUS diagnoses agreed in 35 men (73%) although SUS provided an additional diagnosis in half of these men. The SUS diagnosis differed in 13 men (27%) although the management was altered in only four patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The clinical diagnosis is correct in most men with scrotal symptoms; the routine use of SUS is inappropriate and should be reserved for specific indications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Department of Radiology, Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport, UK.
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Adeyoju
authors.forename: G N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Pollard
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liaw
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Brooman
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: O'Reilly
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005832:Genital Diseases, Male / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012611:Scrotum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography