The differences in testicular volumes in boys 8–36 months old with undescended, retractile and hydrocele testis — Usefulness of scrotal screening ultrasound

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of the study was quantitative and qualitative assessments of scrotal abnormalities diagnosed in boys 8 to 36months old during ultrasound screening and estimation if these abnormalities influence testes volume. Materials and methodsHigh frequency scrotal ultrasound was performed in 1448 patients aged 8–36months as additional exam during screening ultrasound program for children including cervical and abdominal ultrasound. The mean age of examined boys was 17months. For further analysis the children were divided in 5 age groups. ResultsThe abnormalities in scrotal ultrasound were found in 20.1% of boys. Undescended, cryptorchid testes were found in 4.8% of patients, mobile testicle in 7.6% and hydrocele in 2.8%. The volume of undescended testes was statistically lower than volume of the descended testes in 3 youngest groups of boys (p=0.003–0.011). The volume of mobile testicles did not increase with age, while in patients with hydrocele the testicular volume decreased with age. ConclusionScrotal screening ultrasound performed in boys up to 3years old may deliver information about the number and type of existing pathologies as well as their influence on the testicular volume. The volume of the pathological testes was lower than the volume of the normal ones. Improper growth of testes may potentially have important clinical implication for the function of testes in the future.