Prospective study of routine scrotal ultrasonography in urological practice

The value of routine scrotal ultrasonography has been evaluated in a prospective study of 109 men with scrotal symptoms or signs. Ultrasonography had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 99% for testicular tumour. Clinically useful information was provided in 53% of patients and 8% might have avoided surgery if the ultrasound report had been heeded. Ultrasonography did not provide any additional information in patients with scrotal pain and an entirely normal scrotum clinically, and in those with epididymal cysts in whom the testis was palpably normal. If these 2 groups had been excluded from routine scrotal ultrasonography there would have been a 25% reduction in the number of examinations without any reduction in diagnostic yield.