The testicular ultrasound allows to recognize the most common malformations and testicular diseases in children. Ultrasound examination includes the examination of the testicles and epididymides as well as the spermatic cord. In the case of abnormal location of the testicles in the abdominal cavity, ultrasound helps to determine the mechanical cause of the failure of the testicles to descend into the scrotum. The scrotal ultrasound also allows to determine the cause of testicular pain in older boys. Ultrasound examination is non-invasive and completely safe for a child, so in the event of disturbing symptoms, it is not worth delaying a visit to the doctor. Neglecting the problem can lead to hormonal disruptions and infertility in adulthood.
At the Dworska Hospital in Krakow, we also perform ultrasound of the testicles (scrotum) in adults.
Indications for ultrasound of the scrotum (testicles) in children
A hydrocephalus of the testicle in a child
A testicular hydrocele in a newborn is a developmental defect. Under physiological conditions, the testes are not formed in the scrotum, but in the abdominal cavity and descend into the scrotum at about 7 months of gestation. After moving the testicles to the scrotum, the path that the testes traveled should close. If this does not happen, fluid from the peritoneal cavity accumulates in the scrotum.
Symptoms of a testicular hydrocele is the presence of a soft fluid-filled tumor that is translucent when illuminated by a flashlight. The scrotum may be unilaterally or bilaterally swollen and the skin of the scrotum excessively tense. The testicular hydrocele changes its volume during the day - it is the largest in the evening hours and decreases in the morning after a night's rest.
The testicular hydrocele in a newborn is an observable lesion - in the first year of life, the hydrocele should be self-absorbed. The testicle hydrocele must not be pinched or punctured, as this may lead to accidental damage to the testicle or development of inflammation. In any case, the presence of a soft tumor on the testicle of a child should be consulted with a doctor who will fully confirm the mildness of the lesion using ultrasound. If the testicular hydrocele persists into the 2-3 years of age or is enlarged, surgery may be necessary.
In older children, a testicular hydrocele usually develops as a result of an injury to the groin area, often during sports. In some cases, the testicular hydrocele may also develop within the spermatic cord.
Acute scrotum syndrome
Possible causes of acute scrotal syndrome in children include:
Testicle torsion,
Torsion of the appendix of the testicle or epididymis,
Testicular inflammation
Inflammation of the epididymis,
Mechanical trauma to the scrotum,
Testicular tumor.
These problems most often appear at the age of 1 and in boys aged 4-14.
Symptoms of acute scrotal syndrome are:
Sudden scrotal pain
Redness, bruising and / or swelling of the scrotum
Abnormal high position of the testicles in the scrotum.
If you find the above symptoms, see a doctor as soon as possible, who will perform an ultrasound of the testicles and surrounding structures in order to determine the cause of the ailments.
Cryptorchidism
Cryptorchidism is an abnormal position of the testicles - instead of in the scrotum, they are in the abdominal cavity. Cryptorchidism is the result of the failure of the testes to descend into the scrotum in the last months of utero. The cause may be a mechanical obstruction in the inguinal canal. Leaving the testicles in the abdominal cavity for too long can cause testicular dysfunction and infertility. In addition, there is a greater risk of developing testicular cancer in the future. The cause of the changes is too high temperature, which adversely affects the function of the testicles.
Ultrasound examination allows you to locate the testicles within the abdominal cavity. The lack of descent of the testicles in a 2-3 year old boy is an urgent indication for a medical visit and ultrasound examination.
Wandering nucleus
When the testicles have descended into the scrotum, but retraction towards the abdominal cavity is periodically observed, this condition is known as the migratory testicle. The "disappearance" of the testicle from the scrotum occurs as a result of contraction of the testicular levator muscle under the influence of cold or stress. The wandering testicle is favored by incomplete sealing of the path from the scrotum to the abdominal cavity.
How is the ultrasound of a child's testicles performed?
Before performing an ultrasound of the testicles, the doctor will conduct a careful interview regarding the onset and nature of the child's testicular pain, changes in the shape and volume of the scrotum, or any other symptoms observed. The doctor then palpates the scrotum. During the ultrasound examination, the doctor puts an ultrasound head emitting ultrasound waves to the scrotum. The return of the reflected ultrasound waves from the tissues generates the image visible on the monitor screen. During an ultrasound examination of the scrotum, the doctor assesses the testes and epididymis, and the spermatic cord.
In newborns and infants with cryptorchidism, ultrasound of the testes is carried out through the abdominal wall - the head is placed on the baby's abdomen. If necessary, diagnostics is extended to include ultrasound of the urinary system.
The ultrasound examination of the testicles is painless and safe - the ultrasound waves emitted by the apparatus do not have any negative impact on the child's organism or on the function of the testicles.
Frequently asked questions about ultrasound of a child's testicles:
Parents should not underestimate the chronic enlarged lymph nodes associated with weight loss, the presence of hard and painful lumps in the neck, or the constant enlargement of the observed lesion. In addition, frequent abdominal pain and excessive fatigue in a child may be disturbing. If you notice the above symptoms, you should immediately consult a pediatrician who will perform an examination and order an ultrasound of the lymph nodes.
An ultrasound scan can detect even minor changes in your lymph nodes, which may or may not be a serious disease. In most children, enlarged lymph nodes are associated with an infection that the child's body is fighting against. Ultrasound examination distinguishes physiological lymphadenopathy from the presence of a chronic systemic disease or neoplastic infiltration.
Ultrasound examination of lymph nodes is completely painless and safe for the child. Ultrasound is often a form of screening test that allows for early detection of pathological changes. The ultrasound examination recommended by the pediatrician should not be delayed, as this may delay the diagnosis of the disease and the implementation of appropriate treatment.
