Testicular blood flow in experimental torsion and epididymo-orchitis measured by 133Xe clearance technique in rabbits.

Testicular blood flow was measured by intratesticular injection of 133Xe both under control conditions and in experimental 720 degree intravaginal torsion (10 rabbits) and in epididymo-orchitis (5 rabbits). The results were statistically compared with each other. The blood flow was 35.8 +/- 13.7 ml/100 g/min to the right testis and 35.4 +/- 12.7 ml/100 g/min to the left testis under control conditions. The blood flow decreased to 16% and 8% of the control values 1 h and 8 h after torsion respectively. In epididymo-orchitis testicular blood flow stayed within normal limits. There was a significant difference in blood flow between the torsion and epididymo-orchitis groups (p less than 0.001). Further investigation in man will demonstrate whether the 133Xe clearance method can be used in the differential diagnosis of these two pathologies.