Ultrasonography of testis tumors

Intratesticular masses can be identified with a high degree of accuracy using recently refined techniques of scrotal ultrasonography. In an attempt to correlate sonographic findings with histopathologic features the sonograms performed on 17 consecutive patients with testis tumors were reviewed. Two distinct categories were identified. Seminomas and lymphomas appeared hypoechoic and homogeneous, and had sharply demarcated intratesticular borders. Nonseminomatous germ cell tumors, although also of lower echogenicity than normal testis, appeared to have cystic spaces, acoustic shadowing and irregular margins extending into the testis parenchyma. Preoperative characterization of a scrotal mass with ultrasound can facilitate surgical excision of the tumor. Scrotal ultrasonography also is useful in the detection of tumor in a palpable normal testis and is a convenient method for the examination of patients who have had a testis tumor previously.