Immersion ultrasonography of scrotal and testicular pathology.

A water-coupled free-immersion ultrasound scanner, the Octoson, was used to study 70 patients with scrotal disease. The main advantage of the immersion technique is the perfect overview of the whole male genital organ. Scrotal masses could be differentiated to a high percentage into intrascrotal fluid collections and intra- or extra-testicular solid lesions. In some cases, testicular tumors could be distinguished from inflammatory conditions on the basis of the ultrasound examination alone. According to out present experience, immersion ultrasound of the scrotum proved to be an effective method in disclosing the site, delineating the extent and characterizing the nature of extra- and intra-testicular disease.