Mobile echogenicities on scrotal sonography: is the finding associated with vasectomy?

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Urology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Scrotal sonography is a key imaging modality for evaluating the epididymis.
• Identifying specific sonographic findings can aid in understanding post-surgical changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between mobile echogenicities in the epididymis and a history of vasectomy.
• To determine the prevalence of mobile echogenicities in post-vasectomy patients.

Main Methods:

• Prospective collection of sonographic video clips of the epididymal body in outpatients.
• Recording the presence of punctate mobile echogenicities, patient age, and vasectomy history.
• HIPAA-compliant study approved by the Institutional Review Board.

Main Results:

• Mobile echogenicities were identified in 12.5% of post-vasectomy patients (7/56) versus 0.3% in non-vasectomy patients (1/289) (P < .0001).
• No significant difference was observed in the rates of epididymal cysts (53.6% vs 53.3%, P = .34) or reported pain (60.7% vs 49.5%, P = .15) between the groups.

Conclusions:

• Mobile echogenicities in the epididymis are a highly specific finding associated with prior vasectomy.
• The prevalence of mobile echogenicities is approximately 12.5% in patients who have undergone vasectomy.
• Vasectomy does not significantly alter the rates of epididymal cysts or pain.