[Evaluation of color Doppler flow imaging in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of spermatic cord torsion].

OBJECTIVE

To distinguish spermatic cord torsion from acute orchitis by color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI).

METHODS

Thirteen patients with acute orchialgia were examined by CDFI. The clinical data of diagnosis and treatment were reviewed and analyzed.

RESULTS

The findings of CDFI showed lower or even no blood flow in the testes in 8 cases, which were diagnosed as spermatic cord torsion. Among them, 1 received manual detorsion and 7 were proved by operations. The other 5 showed abundant blood flow signal in the testes and were diagnosed as acute orchitis or epididymo-orchitis. After the use of antibiotics, their symptoms were relieved and the blood flow of the testes reduced upon reexamination.

CONCLUSIONS

CDFI plays an important role in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of spermatic cord torsion, and could be regarded as a detecting method of first choice for patients of acute orchialgia.