title: Diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging of rat testes: a method for early detection of ischemia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the feasibility of diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the early detection of ischemia in the testis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Circulation to the right testis in Wistar rats was occluded by surgical ligation of the right funicle. The left side was sham operated and served as a control. The diffusion and T2-weighted MRI images of the 2 testes was performed postoperatively by a 1.5 Tesla MRI unit using a knee coil. On apparent diffusion coefficient images and T2-weighted images the region of interest values in the 2 testes were measured and statistically compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 1 hour after testicular funicle ligation the apparent diffusion coefficient was 18% lower in the ischemic than in the sham operated testis (p <0.0098). At 2 hours the difference was 20% (p <0.0017). In the signal-to-noise ratio on T2-weighted images there was no difference in the left and right testes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Altered diffusion occurs in an ischemic testis, which can be measured on MRI at 1.5 Tesla. Thus, diffusion-weighted MRI may be a helpful method for the differential diagnosis of acute testicular torsion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kangasniemi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kaipia
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Joensuu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D007511:Ischemia / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013737:Testis / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology*; D013997:Time Factors