Emergency ultrasonography in the evaluation of the acute scrotum

Acute scrotal pain accounts for approximately 0.5% of total emergency depar tment (ED) visits. Despite this relatively low percentage, these patients c an present a considerable challenge to the treating emergency physician (EP ) since the etiologies of acute scrotal pain range from organ-threatening d isease to minor idiopathic pain. Few data exist on EP use of bedside ultras ound to evaluate scrotal pain, but there is some suggestion that this may r epresent a beneficial future application for emergency ultrasonographers. T his paper briefly describes the technology and technique involved with the performance of testicular ultrasound examination and briefly discusses its potential application at bedside in the ED.