Shear wave elastography evaluation in pediatric testicular microlithiasis: a comparative study.
Zuhal Bayramoglu1, Sedat Giray Kandemirli2, Rana Gunoz Comert3
1Radiology Department, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey. incezuhal@yahoo.com.
Journal of Medical Ultrasonics (2001)
|October 28, 2017
Summary
Shear wave elastography (SWE) reveals increased testicular elasticity in pediatric patients with testicular microlithiasis, offering a more sensitive follow-up method than standard ultrasound.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Medical Ultrasound
- Elastography
Background:
- Testicular microlithiasis is a condition affecting pediatric patients.
- Gray-scale ultrasound is commonly used for evaluation, but may miss subtle changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate testicular parenchyma in pediatric patients with testicular microlithiasis using shear wave elastography (SWE).
- To compare SWE values with those of normal control subjects.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study including 23 pediatric patients with testicular microlithiasis and 31 controls.
- Evaluation of 46 testes in the study group and 62 in the control group using gray-scale ultrasound and SWE.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in age or testicular volume between groups.
- Mean SWE elasticity values were significantly higher in the microlithiasis group (8.84 kPa) compared to controls (5.26 kPa).
- Mean SWE speed values were also higher in the microlithiasis group (1.66 m/s) versus controls (1.31 m/s).
Conclusions:
- Shear wave elastography detects ultrastructural changes in testicular elasticity not visible with gray-scale ultrasound.
- SWE is a more reliable method for follow-up examinations in pediatric testicular microlithiasis.
