Magnetic resonance imaging of scrotal diseases: when it makes the difference

Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of normal and abnormal scrotum: preliminary results

“…However, a confident preoperative characterization of various benign intratesticular entities, including dilatation of rete testis, orchitis, epidermoid cyst, infarction, fibrosis and hematoma, for which radical orchiectomy is unnecessary is important. [3][4][5][6][7][8] In these patients, a more conservative approach, as follow-up, tumor enucleation or testissparing surgery may be justified. Sonography, although the primary imaging technique for the evaluation of scrotal pathology, 1,2 because of its wide availability, low cost and high sensitivity in the identification of scrotal lesions, does not always allow a confident preoperative characterization of scrotal masses.…”

“…[3][4][5][6][7][8][9] The technique due to its wide field of view, multiplanar capabilities, high contrast and spatial resolution has proved satisfactory in the localization of a scrotal mass, in the differentiation of paratesticular masses with respect to tumor morphology and tissue characteristics, in the distinction between benign from malignant intratesticular lesions and in the evaluation of the local extent of the disease in cases of testicular carcinomas. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] The technique is mainly recommended when sonographic findings are inconclusive or inconsistent with clinical findings. 5,6 In accordance with previous reports, this study demonstrated high accuracy of conventional MR sequences in characterizing both paratesticular and intratesticular mass lesions.…”

“…[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] The technique is mainly recommended when sonographic findings are inconclusive or inconsistent with clinical findings. 5,6 In accordance with previous reports, this study demonstrated high accuracy of conventional MR sequences in characterizing both paratesticular and intratesticular mass lesions. [4][5][6][7] The MR criteria used to characterize testicular neoplasms were similar to those presented in the literature, including the presence of a mainly hypointense or a heterogeneous mass lesion on T2-weighted images, inhomogeneously enhancing after contrast material administration.…”

“…[3][4][5][6][7][8][9] MR evaluation of the scrotum performs well in localizing scrotal masses, therefore differentiating intratesticular and extratesticular scrotal disorders. A preoperative characterization of the histological nature of various scrotal masses is also possible in many cases.…”

“…A preoperative characterization of the histological nature of various scrotal masses is also possible in many cases. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9] Diffusion-weighted (DW) MR imaging watches the random microscopic motion of water molecules (Brownian motion). 10,11 Recently, the technique proved useful in the detection of malignant neoplasms and the histological characterization of focal lesions in the abdomen.…”