MATURATION OF THE TESTIS - ULTRASOUND EVALUATION

We performed a prospective study to investigate whether the sonographi c appearance of the testicular parenchyma changes during maturation of the testis. One hundred forty-three boys ranging in age from 6 months to 16 years, and 11 volunteers aged about 30 years, were included in the study. The echogenicity of each of the 308 normal testes was deter mined by measuring the average brightness of a histogram over a define d testicular area. To avoid divergent results due to different setting s of the device in individual cases, the average brightness of a histo gram of a standard ultrasound phantom was measured immediately after t he examination of each testicle. From these 2 measurements, testicular echogenicity could be calculated independently of individual equipmen t settings. All testes had a homogeneous echotexture. The echogenicity of the prepubertal testis was markedly reduced compared to the medium -level echogenicity of the mature testis (p < 0.001). Testicular echog enicity increases during puberty, We conclude that testicular echogeni city increases with maturation. Knowledge of this fact may improve the diagnostic performance of scrotal ultrasound especially in children.