PEDIATRIC TESTICULAR-TUMORS - EVALUATION WITH GRAY-SCALE AND COLOR DOPPLER US

PURPOSE: To evaluate the appearance of testicular neoplasms in pediatr ic patients at examination with gray-scale and color Doppler ultrasono graphy (US). MATERIALS RND METHODS: Gray-scale and color Doppler US we re performed in seven patients aged 81/2 months to 17 years 6 months ( mean age, 7.8 years) with testicular neoplasms proved at histologic ex amination. Gray-scale images were evaluated for echogenicity and prese nce of testicular masses; color Doppler US was used to assess the pres ence and distribution of color flow. RESULTS: Gray-scale US showed enl argement of the affected testis in all patients. Testicular echogenici ty was normal in four prepubertal patients; discrete masses were seen in all three postpubertal patients. The gray-scale findings correlated with patient age. Color Doppler US demonstrated increased blood flow in six of seven testicular neoplasms. Three of the four patients with normal gray-scale echogenicity had diffuse hypervascularity and one ha d a focal hypervascular mass on color Doppler scans. CONCLUSION: Color Doppler US is more helpful than gray-scale US in identification of te sticular tumor.