The fine points of scrotal scintigraphy.

The following discussion is intended to provide detailed technical assistance for the nuclear physician and technologist who are already familiar with the rationale and theory of scrotal scintigraphy but who may have very little practice with it. Scrotal exploration is a relatively benign surgical procedure with low morbidity and mortality, and it is nearly 100% definitive for the clinical question. Scintigraphy is less expensive and has no morbidity or mortality. To replace surgery, a diagnostic examination must be sensitive enough to allow no jeopardized testis to escape the surgeon, and specific enough to avoid most unnecessary operations. Performed properly, scrotal scintigraphy is such a test.