title: Emergency ultrasound of the scrotum: a review of the commonest pathologic conditions.
abstract: Ultrasound is the first imaging modality to be performed in emergency conditions of the scrotum. The commonest pathologic entities are divided into the 4 following groups: torsion, trauma, infection, and tumors. Sonographic examination should be performed as soon as possible to ensure fast diagnosis and treatment. Less acute conditions can also be noted while scanning on an emergency basis, such as anatomic variants, hydrocele, oscheocele, clinically evident varicocele, calcifications, etc. Although not threatening for scrotal integrity, they should be assessed during an emergency examination or later on. In this article, complex scrotal anatomy is reviewed and the basic examination technique is described. The commonest emergency conditions are analyzed, along with their pathophysiological basis. Nonemergent entities are also briefly mentioned. Ultrasound images of the commonest emergency conditions are demonstrated.
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece. ddcokkinos@yahoo.gr
authors.forename: Demosthenes D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Cokkinos
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Antypa
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tserotas
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kratimenou
authors.forename: Eirini
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kyratzi
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Deligiannis
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kachrimanis
authors.forename: Ploutarchos N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Piperopoulos
mesh_terms: D004630:Emergencies; D005832:Genital Diseases, Male / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005834:Genital Neoplasms, Male / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D012611:Scrotum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries; D013086:Spermatic Cord Torsion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography