Doppler flowmeter in the differential diagnosis of the acute scrotum in children.

A Doppler flowmeter was used to evaluate an acute scrotum in 23 children. A diminished or absent flow was noted in cases of torsion of the testis. Orchitis, epididymitis and torsion of the testicular appendix were accompanied with an increased blood flow. Inflammatory and ischemic lesions could be detected and in all operated cases the diagnosis proved to be correct. Unnecessary operations in cases of torsion of the testicular appendix can be avoided with this accurate non-invasive method.