Ultrasound is the imaging modality of choice to evaluate scrotal pathology. However, differentiating malignant and benign testicular tumors is not always possible, and there is interest in evaluating magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a potential adjunct for diagnosis. We conducted a systematic review and found nine studies related to MRI diagnosis of testicular masses. A total of 220 testicular masses (217 patients) undergoing MRI were identified. Notable findings include malignant masses having a lower apparent diffusion coefficient compared to benign masses (three of four studies) and that quantitative enhancement patterns could differentiate Leydig cell tumors from germ cell tumors in two studies. While there were some distinct qualitative characterizations of testicular masses on MRI, further research is needed to identify appropriate clinical contexts for use.
Urology. 2019 Oct 01 [Epub ahead of print]
Hiten D Patel, Margarita Ramos, Mohit Gupta, Joseph G Cheaib, Ritu Sharma, Allen Zhang, Eric B Bass, Phillip M Pierorazio
The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute and Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. Electronic address: ., General Preventative Medicine Residency, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland., The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute and Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland., Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice Center, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland., Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice Center, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland; Division of General Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.