Ultrasonic appearances of paratesticular masses

Abstract

Objective To summarize the color Doppler ultrasound features of paratesticular masses. Methods One hundred and thirty-four cases of paratesticular masses proved by pathology were analyzed with their features of color Doppler ultrasound in Fujian Medical University Union Hospital from March 2000 to May 2015. Results One hundred and thirty-three cases of paratesticular masses were divided into 4 categories, included 48 cases of cystic masses, 50 cases of tumors (36 cases of benign tumors and 14 cases of malignant tumors), 27 cases of inflammatory lesions and 8 cases of tumor-like lesions. Forty-four cases of cystic lesions were presented as round cystic masses while 2 cases were presented as solid-liked masses, 2 cases were presented as solid cystic masses. All of them had obscure boundary and no or little blood flow signal. Thirty cases of benign tumors were shown as well-defined, regular margined lesions while 1 case had irregular shape and obscure boundary. Twenty-seven cases were homogeneous and 33 cases had no or little blood flow signals. Malignant tumors were all appeared as poorly defined lesions with heterogenous echogenicity, or perididymises were irregular thickened with mural nodules. Twelve cases had rich blood flow signals while 2 cases had little blood flow signals. Twenty-four cases of inflammatory lesions had irregular shapes and obscure boundaries while 3 cases were shown as well-defined and regular marginrd. They had poor/rich blood flow signal. Seven cases of tumor-like lesions had regular shapes and clear boundaries while 1 case had irregular shape and obscure boundary. They had various echogenicity, no or little blood flow signal. Conclusions The 4 types of paratesticular masses had certain sonographic features. Some of the masses have characteristic sonographic appearance. Color Doppler ultrasound has certain value in diagnosis and differential diagnosis of paratesticular masses. Key words: Ultrasonography, Doppler, color; Testicular diseases; Diagnosis