Using shear wave elastography method to evaluate testicular compartment syndrome after testicular torsion

The measurement of compartment pressure is a direct method to objectively evaluate suspected compartment syndrome. However, to evaluate the evolving compartment syndrome, one needs to measure the pressure repeatedly, which may aggravate the damage of tissue. Despite several suggested approaches, an effective, noninvasive and sustainable method to detect testicular compartment syndrome is still lacking. In this context, using the method of shear wave elastography, we assessed the correlation between the intratesticular pressure and the testicular compartment elasticity (Emean) after testicular torsion in rabbits. It was found that a strong correlation between the intratesticular pressure and the Emean in the testicular border area (p < .001) or the central area (p = .001) was present. This result suggests that shear wave elastography is a reliable method to evaluate intratesticular pressure in rabbits, and it may have further potential clinical application in detecting testicular compartment syndrome.