Inaccuracy in Ultrasonographic Measurement of the Testicular Volume in Children

Abstract

Purpose: For the measurement of testicular volume, we tried to evaluate the differences between the 1) ultrasonographic and intraoperative ruler measurements, 2) the performances by a radiologist and urologic residents and also 3) the difference among the various formulas for volume calculation. Materials and Methods: The sizes of 108 testes of 96 children (mean age: 4) were measured preoperatively for the length (L) and width (W) with using ultrasonography by a radiologist. These testes were also measured intraoperatively for the L, W and thickness (T) with using a ruler. Of the 108 testes, 57 testes were also scanned with using ultrasonography by urologic residents to measure the L, W and T. The testicular volumes were calculated with three different formulas: LxWx0.52 (F1), LxWxTx0.52 (F2) and LxWxTx0.71 (F3). Results: The mean volumes of the 108 testes measured with ultrasonography by the radiologist and with a ruler were 0.27±0.2ml vs. 0.87± 0.56ml, respectively (p<0.001). The mean difference between the volumes measured with ultrasonography and a ruler was 0.61±0.47ml. The mean volume of 57 testes measured with ultrasonography by the urologic residents was not significantly different from that measured by a radiologist (p=0.235), and it was also smaller than the volume measured with an intraoperative ruler (p<0.001). Conclusions: The testicular volume in children was much underestimated by ultrasonography with statistical significance. Therefore, the possibility of underestimation must be considered in clinical settings. The testicular volumes measured with ultrasonography by the radiologist and by the urologic residents had no significant difference. (Korean J Urol 2006;47: 866-869) ꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏ