A prospective evaluation of scrotal ultrasonography in clinical practice

Objectives To prospectively evaluate scrotal ultrasonography (SUS) in patie nts presenting with scrotal symptoms and to make recommendations about use of SUS in clinical practice. Patients and methods Forty-eight men with scrotal symptoms were examined by a urologist and independently underwent SUS by one radiologist with no kno wledge of the clinical diagnosis. The clinical and SUS diagnoses were compa red and the effect on subsequent management recorded. Results The clinical and SUS diagnoses agreed in 35 men (73%) although SUS provided an additional diagnosis in half of these men. The SUS diagnosis di ffered in 13 men (27%) although the management was altered in only four pat ients. Conclusion The clinical diagnosis is correct in most men with scrotal sympt oms; the routine use of SUS is inappropriate and should be reserved for spe cific indications.