The value of multimodal ultrasonography in the evaluation of late presenting testicular torsion in a rat experimental model

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the value of multimodal ultrasonography (US) in a rat experimental torsion model after 6 h of torsion with different degrees. Methods Twenty-one male rats were divided into three groups. Left testes of the rats were twisted around their vascular pedicle 360 degrees in group 1, 720 degrees in group 2, and 1080 degrees in group 3 and intact right testes of the rats were accepted as control group. Grey-scale US, superb microvascular imaging (SMI), colour Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS), strain elastography (SE), and two-dimensional (2-D) shear wave elastography (SWE) examinations were applied 6 h after torsion procedure and testes were removed for pathological evaluation. Results Short-axis dimensions and volumes of the torsion side were higher than control testes. Lengths of the testes in the 3rd torsion group were smaller than the testes in groups 1 and 2 (P < 0.002). SMI was better than CDUS in recognizing blood flow in testicular tissue. Strain ratios were higher in group 1 and decreased with the increasing torsion degree. Emean and standard deviation (SD) measurements increased in the torsion side. Pathologically the mean testicular damage scores were statistically significant between torsion and control testes in all groups. Conclusion Our results showed that short-axis and volume measurements, SMI, 2D-SWE, and SE are effective in the evaluation and diagnosis of testicular torsion (TT). Advances in knowledge Evaluation of affected testis and intact testis with multiparametric US in late presenting TT cases is more reliable than being dependent on a single sonographic modality.