Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 16, Issue 3 189-192, Copyright © 1997 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Torsion of the testicular appendages: sonographic appearance
S. Strauss, R. Faingold and H. Manor
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
Torsion of the testis and torsion of the testicular appendages have similar
presenting features, namely, acute testicular pain and swelling. The former
condition requires urgent surgical intervention to save the testis; the
latter condition can be treated conservatively. Despite the frequency of
torsion of the appendix testis, which is the most common cause of acute
hemiscrotum in the child, only occasional references to this entity are
found in the radiological literature. We describe five cases in which an
enlarged, homogeneously echogenic appendix testis was seen medial or
posterior to the head of the epididymis. All cases were accompanied by
hydrocele and thickening of the scrotal wall. Among the five cases,
enlargement of the head of the epididymis was seen in four and increased
testicular blood flow in two. Scanning in the coronal and transverse planes
above the testis was useful in locating the enlarged, twisted appendix.
