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There are many reasons for examining the scrotum with ultrasound. These are among the more common reasons:
To look for causes of scrotal pain, including epididymo-orchitis (inflammation), testicular torsion (twisted testes) and varicocele (a swelling that feels like a bag of worms and causes a dull pain)
To look for causes of masses felt by the patient or doctor and assess their nature and site of origin, including testicular cancer, epididymal cysts or tumors
To evaluate the cause of scrotal swelling, such as hydrocele (fluid collection), scrotal hernias, scrotal edema (swelling), inflammation or infection
To evaluate the causes of infertility, such as varicoceles, testicular atrophy or obstruction of the connecting ducts
To evaluate the extent of damage caused by trauma to the scrotum
To look for the location of undescended testes
Ultrasound might not provide all the information your doctor requires. In those cases, additional studies could be required.
Are there any special preparations for the examination?
No preparation is necessary.
Will it hurt?
There is no pain involved in an ultrasound examination of your scrotum. The transducer is placed on the skin surface after a gel is applied to your scrotum to provide better contact. The gel can feel cool and could temporarily leave a mark on your clothes, so you might want to wear easily washable clothing.
How long will it take?
The scrotal ultrasound examination takes about 15 minutes but can take longer in more difficult examinations.
