Testicular adrenal rest tissue in congenital adrenal hyperplasia: findings at Gray-scale and color Doppler US.

Abstract

To study the ultrasound (US) features of scrotal adrenal rest tissue in congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Gray-scale and color Doppler US examinations were performed of scrotal masses in eight patients. The masses were evaluated for size, location, echogenicity, sound attenuation, and vascularity. Seventeen intratesticular masses and one extratesticular mass were examined. All were hypoechoic except for one intratesticular mass that contained hyperechoic areas. Six masses demonstrated sound attenuation. The mediastinum testis was found in the center of 11 of the 17 intratesticular masses. At color Doppler US, six masses were hypervascular, seven were isovascular, and five were hypovascular relative to the normal testicle. All intratesticular masses contained vascular structures that entered them from the normal testis without change in course or caliber. Eleven masses showed a spoke-like pattern of converging vessels. The US features of scrotal adrenal rests assist diagnosis of CAH.