Elastography of Testis

Abstract

Palpation to estimate the consistency or hardness of a lesion is a diagnostic method practiced in Egypt in 2600 BC and Elastography offers a “Virtual Palpation”. This technique provides a visual representation of the tactile information conventionally obtained by physical palpation of the tissue. Based on the research of Ophir et al 1, the industry started to develop proper hardware and software in order to make this kind of study possible. At the same time, clinical researchers began to validate the results obtained by using this process. The image obtained is the result of the stiffness comparison among the lesion surrounded by normal tissue. For the better understanding Is necessary to define some terms; Elasticity: ability of an object to deform or bend under pressure. Stiffness: rigidity, inability to deform under pressure. Strain: amount of deformation of the tissue and It is calculated as the change in distance between two points divided by the initial distance. Compression Source: is the way that the tissue is compressed We know that malignant tumors are hard and by the depiction of this characteristic with the use of Elastography, the clinician can be alert about the high probability of carcinoma of testis, the patient could have 2. Goddi demonstrated Sensitivity 87.5%, Specificity 98.2%, Predictive + 93.3%, Predictive - 96.4%, Accuracy 95.8% for differentiating benign from malignant lesions.3 I will present some clinical cases Elastography is a promising method for the evaluation of testicular masses and in a short time will be used routinely on clinical practice. 1.Ophir et al. Elastography: A Quantitative Method for Imaging The Elasticity of Biological Tissues. Ultrasonic Imaging. 1991. 13, 111-134 2.Grasso M et al. Elasto-sonography of the testis: preliminary experience. Arch Ital Urol Androl. 2010; 82(3):160-3 3.Goddi et al- Real-time tissue Elastography for testicular lesion assessment. Eur Radiol. 2012 April; 22(4): 721-730. Palpation to estimate the consistency or hardness of a lesion is a diagnostic method practiced in Egypt in 2600 BC and Elastography offers a “Virtual Palpation”. This technique provides a visual representation of the tactile information conventionally obtained by physical palpation of the tissue. Based on the research of Ophir et al 1, the industry started to develop proper hardware and software in order to make this kind of study possible. At the same time, clinical researchers began to validate the results obtained by using this process. The image obtained is the result of the stiffness comparison among the lesion surrounded by normal tissue. For the better understanding Is necessary to define some terms; Elasticity: ability of an object to deform or bend under pressure. Stiffness: rigidity, inability to deform under pressure. Strain: amount of deformation of the tissue and It is calculated as the change in distance between two points divided by the initial distance. Compression Source: is the way that the tissue is compressed We know that malignant tumors are hard and by the depiction of this characteristic with the use of Elastography, the clinician can be alert about the high probability of carcinoma of testis, the patient could have 2. Goddi demonstrated Sensitivity 87.5%, Specificity 98.2%, Predictive + 93.3%, Predictive - 96.4%, Accuracy 95.8% for differentiating benign from malignant lesions.3 I will present some clinical cases Elastography is a promising method for the evaluation of testicular masses and in a short time will be used routinely on clinical practice. 1.Ophir et al. Elastography: A Quantitative Method for Imaging The Elasticity of Biological Tissues. Ultrasonic Imaging. 1991. 13, 111-134 2.Grasso M et al. Elasto-sonography of the testis: preliminary experience. Arch Ital Urol Androl. 2010; 82(3):160-3 3.Goddi et al- Real-time tissue Elastography for testicular lesion assessment. Eur Radiol. 2012 April; 22(4): 721-730.