Torsed appendix testis: gray scale and color Doppler sonographic findings compared with normal appendix testis.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare the size, shape, echogenicity, and blood flow of the appendix testis on sonography in control subjects and in patients with a torsed appendix testis and to evaluate the usefulness as well as the limitations of these criteria.


METHODS
This was a retrospective analysis of 11 lesions with torsed appendix testes and 15 normal appendix testes in 12 children. The following gray scale and color Doppler sonographic features were analyzed: size, shape, echogenicity, and blood flow of the appendix testis.


RESULTS
The size of the appendix testis was larger in patients with a torsed appendix testis than in the control subjects (P < .05). A spherical shape of the appendix testis was more common in patients with a torsed appendix testis (P < .05). There was no blood flow within both the torsed and normal appendix testes. However, the frequency of increased periappendiceal blood flow was higher in patients with a torsed appendix testis (P < .05). There was no significant difference in the echogenicity between the torsed and normal appendix testes.


CONCLUSIONS
Gray scale and color Doppler sonography may be helpful in the diagnosis of torsion of the appendix testis. A size of 5 mm or larger, spherical shape, and increased periappendiceal blood flow are indicative of a torsed appendix testis.
Yang
Dal Mo
DM
Department of Radiology, Gachon Medical School Gil Medical Center, 1198 Guwol-Dong, Namdong-Gu, Incheon 405-760, Korea. dmyang@ghil.com
Lim
Joo Won
JW
Kim
Jee Eun
JE
Kim
Ji Hye
JH
Cho
Hyuni
H
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013086:Spermatic Cord Torsion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013737:Testis / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color