Testicular rupture in a young patient: diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography

Abstract

Testicular rupture after a blunt scrotal trauma is characterized by tearing of the tunica albuginea that result in the extrusion of the seminiferous tubules. Imaging, particularly ultrasonography, plays a crucial role in the assessment of scrotal trauma and directs patient management toward conservative or surgical treatment. Conventional B-mode and color Doppler ultrasonography are the main imaging techniques in the evaluation of the testicle in trauma but may underestimate the extent of injury. The most important information for the surgeon is the integrity or interruption of the tunica albuginea and the extent of vital testicular tissue. The latter is often difficult to assess with conventional ultrasonography because the injured testicle is often hypovascular even in vital regions due to testicular edema that compromises vascular flow. The selective use of advanced techniques such as contrast-enhanced ultrasonography is important in identifying testicular viability when color Doppler ultrasonography is equivocal. This case report describes the evaluation and management of a blunt testicular trauma in a 15-year-old football player.

Keywords

• testicular rupture
• scrotal trauma
• color doppler ultrasound
• contrast-enhanced ultrasound
• clinical case