To compare elastography measurements in men with normal testicular tissue, testicular microlithiasis and testicular cancer.
A total of 248 consecutive patients were included. All men provided written informed consent. Testicular stiffness was assessed using shear wave elastography (SWE). Three SWE velocity measurements were assessed in each testicle. The patients were divided into three groups; men with normal testicular tissue (n=130), men with testicular microlithiasis (n=99) and men with testicular cancer (n=19).
We found a higher mean velocity in the group of patients with testicular cancer (1.92 m/s (95% CI 1.82-2.03)) compared to both the group with normal tissue (0.76 m/s (95% CI: 0.75-0.78)) (p<0.001) and the group with testicular microlithiasis 0.79 m/s (95% CI: 0.77-0.81) (p<0.001).
The presence of testicular microlithiasis increased stiffness slightly, but within the range of variation in normal testicles. Increased stiffness may indicate testicular malignancy in testicular lesions. Ultrasound elastography could be a very useful tool when investigating scrotum.
Ultrasound international open. 2017 Dec 20 [Epub]
Malene Roland Pedersen, Henrik Møller, Palle Jørn Sloth Osther, Peter Vedsted, René Holst, Søren Rafael Rafaelsen
Department of Radiology, Clinical Cancer Centre, Vejle Hospital, Part of Lillebaelt Hospital, Denmark., Cancer Epidemiology and Population Health, King's College London, United Kingdom., Urological Research Centre, Vejle Hospital, Part of Lillebaelt Hospital, Denmark., Research Unit for General Practice, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark., Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.