From Wikidoc - Reading time: 2 min
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Farima Kahe M.D. [2]
Inguinal hernia must be differentiated testicular torsion, epididymitis, hydrocele, varicocele, spermatocele, epididymal cyst and testicular tumor.
| Diseases | Clinical features | Imaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swelling | Pain | Mass | Inguinal or scrotal | ||
| Testicular torsion | + | + | + | Scrotal | Doppler ultrasonography:
enlargement, decreased echogenicity, and absent flow |
| Epididymitis | +/- | + | - | Scrotal | Doppler ultrasonography:
enlarged (>17 mm) epididymis with a hypoechoic, hyperechoic, or heterogeneous echotexture, increased blood flow |
| Hydrocele | + | - | - | Inguinal | Ultrasound:
simple fluid collection |
| Varicocele | +/- | +/- | +/- | Inguinal | Ultrasonography:
tortuous, tubular, anechoic structures adjacent to the testis corresponding to dilated veins of the pampiniform plexus with calibers of 2–3 mm during the Valsalva maneuver |
| Spermatocele | + | - | +/- | Inguinal | Ultrasonography:
hypoechoic with posterior acoustic enhancement Color doppler ultrasonography: falling snow, resulting from internal echoes moving away from the transducer |
| Testicular tumor | +/- | +/- | + | Inguinal | Ultrasonography:
hypoechoic, smooth, round, and well-circumscribed mass |
| Epididymal cyst | - | +/- | +/- | Inguinal | Ultrasound:
posterior acoustic enhancement, well defined anechoic lesions, larger cysts may contain septations |