THE ACUTE PEDIATRIC SCROTUM - THE ROLE OF COLOR DOPPLER ULTRASOUND

Combined grey scale ultrasound and colour Doppler imaging of the acute paediatric scrotum provides a non-invasive means of assessing the str ucture and perfusion of the testis. Colour flow ultrasound is a sensit ive and specific diagnostic tool for differentiating ischaemic patholo gy (in which blood flow rate is reduced) from inflammatory disease in which it is commonly increased. Using this technique the number of unn ecessary surgical explorations of the scrotum can be reduced. The diff erential diagnosis of acute testicular pathology and the imaging chara cteristics of each disorder are described. Close collaboration between paediatric surgeons and radiologists is required to determine the opt imal clinical and investigational strategy for each child. (C) 1998 El sevier Science ireland Ltd.