The value of ultrasound in the evaluation of patients with blunt scrotal trauma.

Twenty-one men with blunt scrotal trauma managed in the Urology Department of Riyadh Central Hospital are presented. The decision for surgical exploration was strengthened by ultrasonic findings in six patients--four men with haematocoele and ruptured testicles and two with expanding extratesticular haematoma and normal testes. In addition, sonography revealed unsuspected intratesticular haematoma and disrupted tunica albuginea (without haematocoele) in two other cases. One case managed non-operatively developed a testicular abscess detected by ultrasound. Surgery confirmed the diagnoses in all nine cases that were explored. Thirteen patients were managed non-operatively, including six cases in whom sonography revealed contused testes. Hence, the value of ultrasound scanning in evaluating patients after blunt scrotal trauma was established. It complemented clinical findings and detected unsuspected testicular injury.