Nuclear imaging in the pediatric acute scrotum.

The acute scrotum in the pediatric patient frequently presents a diagnostic dilemma for even the most experienced clinician. In an effort to improve testicular salvage in equivocal cases, immediate surgical intervention has been recommended, despite a large number of unnecessary explorations. Evaluating the sodium pertechnetate Tc 99m radioisotopic scan in 46 boys, we found this study to be a rapid, reliable, sensitive, and noninvasive test that allows the selection of those patients who require immediate surgical intervention.