Limitations of the Doppler flow meter in the diagnosis of the "acute scrotum" in boys.

Doppler examination of the "acute scrotum" was performed in 37 boys. The results of these examinations were consistent with the findings at operation in all but 4 boys. Of the latter, 3 were amongst the group of 11 with torsion of the spermatic cord, and the other was an infant with an irreducible inguinal hernia. At present, the results of ultrasound examination of blood flow are unreliable in the diagnosis of acute scrotal pathology in boys. This lack of reliability is particularly noticeable when symptoms have been present for more than 24 h.