Contrast Enhanced US of the Scrotum

High performance contrast specific modes are currently implemented for superficial probes, and an increasing interest is now rising for use of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in evaluation of scrotal pathologies. Microbubble contrast agents arehighlysensitiveinassessingpresenceorabsence of vascular flow. While use in evaluation of patients with high degree torsion has limited clinical application, at least in adults, since this pathological condition can be effectively evaluated with conventional color Doppler ultrasound alone, diagnosis of segmental testicular infarction is improved. Virtually all scrotal tumors are vascularized at CEUS. This technique does not allow differentiation among different histotypes, but provides a useful instrument for the differential diagnosis between tumors with cystic components and complex benign cysts. In inflammation, abscesses are clearly defined, and in trauma patients viability of the testicular parenchyma is assessed. Preliminary investigation suggests use of microbubble contrast agents to evaluate infertile patients with varicocele, and for therapeutic applications