Prospective comparison of colour Doppler ultrasonography and testicular scintigraphy in acute scrotum.

The aim of this prospective study was to compare the effectiveness of colour Doppler ultrasound and testicular scintigraphy in the differential diagnosis of acute scrotum. Ten patients were investigated by clinical examination initially and by both techniques afterwards. Scintigraphy was performed in a blind fashion. According to the findings, 3 patients were categorized as acute ischaemia and 7 as inflammation. The 3 patients diagnosed as ischaemia underwent surgical exploration. Both imaging techniques predicted ischaemia (100%). In the inflammation group conservative therapy and follow-up were chosen. Ultrasonography alone established the correct diagnosis in 7/7, whereas scintigraphy in 5/7 of the patients.