Doppler sonography in testicular and scrotal imaging.

The primary role of Doppler ultrasound of the acute testicle and scrotum is for the diagnosis of spermatic cord torsion or epididymitis. The utility of Doppler in other conditions such as testicular neoplasm is limited, and in general does not increase diagnostic specificity. The application of color Doppler imaging and power Doppler imaging increases sensitivity for the detection of orchitis and testicular neoplasms in which the gray scale findings may be subtle. Power Doppler imaging is more sensitive for the identification of slowly flowing blood than color Doppler imaging. As a result, power Doppler imaging may be particularly helpful for the diagnosis or exclusion of spermatic cord torsion as a cause of acute scrotal pain in the prepubescent male.