The validity of grayscale and color Doppler ultrasound in assessment of scrotal swellings: a retrospective study in a large case series.

BACKGROUND: Scrotal swellings have a non-specific clinical picture, so their clinical diagnosis is challenging. Scrotal grayscale and color Doppler ultrasound are non-invasive methods used in both adult and childhood groups and act as accurate screening and diagnostic modalities. PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic validity of grayscale and color Doppler ultrasound in the assessment of scrotal swelling to reach accurate diagnosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study included 181 patients (mean age = 35.5 ± 7.3, age range = 1-71 years) with scrotal swelling. Examinations were performed by an experienced radiologist using grayscale and color Doppler ultrasound. The diagnostic validity of grayscale and color Doppler ultrasound for diagnosing scrotal swelling were estimated using surgical findings, histopathological results, and imaging and clinical follow-up as reference standards. RESULTS: Overall, 202 scrotal swellings were detected. The final diagnoses were 13 (6.4%) malignant and 189 (93.6%) benign alterations. Varicocele was the most common scrotal swelling (26%), followed by hydrocele (23.8%). Matched to the reference standards, grayscale and color Doppler ultrasound represented a sensitivity of 84.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 54.6-98.1), a specificity of 76.2% (95% CI = 69.5-82.1), a positive predictive value of 19.6% (95% CI = 10.2-32.4), and a negative predictive value of 98.6% (95% CI = 95.1-99.8) for diagnosing scrotal tumors. CONCLUSION: Scrotal grayscale and color Doppler ultrasound provide high diagnostic validity for assessment of scrotal swellings.

Immunoglobulin G4-related Disease of the Genitourinary System: Spectrum of Imaging Findings and Clinical-Pathologic Features.

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a systemic fibroinflammatory disease characterized by focal or diffuse organ infiltration of IgG4-bearing plasma cells. The diagnosis of IgG4-RD is based on a combination of clinical, serologic, radiologic, and histopathologic findings. IgG4-RD has been reported to affect almost all organ systems. The kidney is the most frequently involved of the genitourinary organs. The most common renal manifestation of IgG4-RD is IgG4-RD tubulointerstitial nephritis, followed by membranous glomerulonephropathy and, less frequently, obstructive nephropathy involving the renal pelvis, ureter, or retroperitoneum. Renal parenchymal lesions may appear as multiple nodular lesions, diffuse patchy infiltrative lesions, or a single nodular lesion. Multiple small nodular cortical lesions are the most common imaging findings of IgG4-RD involving the kidney. Renal pelvic, sinus, or perinephric lesions can also occur. IgG4-RD involvement of other genitourinary organs including the ureter, bladder, urethra, and male and female reproductive organs is rare compared with kidney involvement but may show variable imaging findings such as a localized mass within or surrounding the involved organ or diffuse enlargement of the involved organ. Imaging findings of IgG4-RD involving the genitourinary system are nonspecific but should be differentiated from inflammatory and neoplastic lesions that mimic IgG4-RD. The online slide presentation from the RSNA Annual Meeting is available for this article. ©RSNA, 2020.

Ultrasound findings in urogenital schistosomiasis: a pictorial essay.

Urogenital schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by S. haematobium which is endemic in tropical and sub-tropical areas but is increasingly diagnosed in temperate non-endemic countries due to migration and international travels. Early identification and treatment of the disease are fundamental to avoid associated severe sequelae such as bladder carcinoma, hydronephrosis leading to kidney failure and reproductive complications. Radiologic imaging, especially through ultrasound examination, has a fundamental role in the assessment of organ damage and follow-up after treatment. Imaging findings of urinary tract schistosomiasis are observed mainly in the ureters and bladder. The kidneys usually appear normal until a late stage of the disease.

Endoscopy as an Adjunct to Image-Guided Interventions: A New Frontier in Interventional Radiology.

Endoscopy is an underutilized technique in the practice of interventional radiology. The objectives of this article are to discuss potential uses of interventional radiology-operated endoscopy and to outline basic endoscopy setup and equipment uses. Endoscopy represents a new frontier to the fluoroscopically-guided procedures in biliary, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary disease that interventional radiologists commonly perform. It shows promise to improve interventional radiology procedure success rates and reduce procedure-associated risk for patients. Endoscopy has been traditionally performed by gastroenterologists and urologists and is relatively new in the practice of interventional radiology. The hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity required to perform standard image-guided procedures places interventional radiologists in a unique position to introduce endoscopy into standard practice. A focused and collaborative effort is needed by interventional radiologists to learn the techniques required to successfully integrate endoscopy into practice.

Beyond the Bile Duct: Advanced IR Endoscopic Interventions Involving the Gastrointestinal, Genitourinary, and Musculoskeletal Systems.

Endoscopy is a technique used by interventional radiology (IR) in only a few centers throughout the United States. When used by IR, endoscopy is most well-known for its role in the treatment of hepatobiliary disease. However, its use with relation to pathology involving the gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and musculoskeletal systems is gaining momentum among IR. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the potential benefits of IR endoscopy in nonbiliary intervention. A literature review, not requiring IRB approval, was performed via PubMed and Ovid Medline databases using the search terms "interventional radiology-operated endoscopy," "interventional endoscopy," "interventional radiology," "genitourinary," and "gastrointestinal." Literature describing IR endoscopy involving the gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and musculoskeletal systems were identified and described. Nine peer-reviewed articles were identified. While few studies were identified, a general theme suggesting a synergistic relationship between IR and endoscopy was noted. More studies are needed to better understand the role of endoscopy as a technique in the IR suite.

A PSA for Radiologists: Pictorial Review of Incidentalomas on Prostate Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the prostate is a powerful and increasingly utilized imaging study for the diagnosis, staging, and surveillance of prostate cancer. With greater adoption by clinicians, it is becoming more common for incidental findings to be first detected on prostate MRI. Inadequate description of clinically significant findings may not prompt appropriate patient management, while over-reporting of indolent findings comes at increased patient anxiety, cost of workup, and iatrogenic risk. This review article aims to improve awareness, review pathophysiology, and present key imaging features of incidental findings seen on prostate MRI, ranging from common to rare and from benign to clinically significant.

Imaging features of immune-mediated genitourinary disease.

PURPOSE: Imaging features of immune-mediated genitourinary diseases often overlap, and the same disease may manifest in different ways, so understanding imaging findings in the context of the patient's entire clinical picture is important in providing the correct diagnosis. METHODS: In this article, diseases mediated by the immune system which affect the genitourinary system are reviewed. Examples of immune-mediated genitourinary disease including IgG4-related disease, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder, immunodeficiency-associated lymphoproliferative disorder due to immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory medications, lymphoma, leukemia, myeloma, amyloidosis, and histiocytosis. RESULTS: Clinical and imaging features will be presented which may help narrow the differential diagnosis for each disease. CONCLUSION: Recognition of immune-related genitourinary disease is important for appropriate medical management as they may mimic other diseases both by imaging and clinical presentation.

Imaging features of atypical bleeds in young patients with hemophilia.

Hemarthroses and muscle bleeds are well-known and well-documented complications in pediatric and young adult hemophilia patients. In contrast, deep bleeds in atypical locations can be a diagnostic challenge, since clinicians and radiologists are often unfamiliar with their clinical and radiological features. Some atypical bleeds, however, can be life-threatening or severely disabling, highlighting the need for prompt, accurate diagnosis. Rare bleeds include central nervous system bleeds (including intracranial and spinal hematomas), urogenital bleeds, intra-abdominal bleeds (mesenteric and gastrointestinal wall hematomas) and pseudo tumors in unusual locations like the sinonasal cavities. Because clinical assessment can be difficult, clinicians and radiologists should be aware of the possibility of these rare complications in their hemophilia patients, so that they can avoid unnecessary invasive diagnostic and surgical procedures and institute prompt, appropriate treatment. The purpose of this review is to illustrate the imaging features of bleeds that occur in rare locations in young (i.e., children and young adults) patients with hemophilia to make the reader more familiar with these conditions.

Clinical Consultation Guide on Imaging in Male Infertility and Sexual dysfunction.

Imaging can benefit clinicians in evaluating men with infertility or sexual dysfunction by giving an overview of a patient's overall clinical condition before undertaking an invasive procedure. An understanding of the limitations and advantages of image modalities used in clinical practice will ensure that clinicians can optimize patient care with imaging when necessary. PATIENT SUMMARY: The objective of this article was to review the current literature on imaging modalities used for the diagnosis and management of male infertility and sexual dysfunction. An understanding of the advantages and limitations of these imaging modalities will ensure that clinicians can optimize patient care with imaging when necessary.

Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings of Inflammatory Pseudotumors in the Abdomen and Pelvis: Current Concepts and Pictorial Review.

The group of inflammatory pseudotumors (IPTs) encompasses a variety of rare neoplastic and nonneoplastic entities described to occur in almost every location in the body and whose clinical features and aggressive imaging findings (varying from infiltrative to mass-forming lesions), frequently mimic those of malignant tumors. The radiologic features of IPTs are variable and nonspecific, the imaging findings depending on the body location and involved organ. Abdominopelvic IPTs are rare and the purposes of this review, therefore, are to familiarize the radiologist with the wide spectrum of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings of IPTs in various locations throughout the abdomen and pelvis, discussing the imaging features that allow consideration of IPTs in the differential diagnosis of soft-tissue masses within the pertinent clinical setting. Radiologists should be aware of this group of entities, as a preoperative histopathologic diagnosis upon radiological suspicion may help to differentiate IPTs from malignancy and to allow the most appropriate clinical work-up for these patients.

Scrotal Ultrasonic Features of Congenital Bilateral Absence of Vas Deferens.

OBJECTIVE: This article discusses scrotal ultrasonic features of patients with a congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD). METHODS: Thirty-six patients with CBAVD were examined to obtain image characteristics of the bilateral testicle and epididymis by ultrasound. Each patient received a pathological examination of the sperm by percutaneous epididymal biopsy. RESULTS: Scrotal ultrasonic features were as follows: (1) testicular volumes were normal in all the 36 patients; (2) 21% (15/72) of the heads of epididymis, 67% (48/72) of the heads and bodies of epididymis, and 12% (9/72) of the heads, bodies, and tails of epididymis could be shown in the 72 epididymides of the 36 patients; (3) cystic or tubular dilation of the epididymis was obvious in all 72 abnormal epididymides; and (4) bilateral vas deferens could not be found in these patients. Johnsen's grading of sperm in all the 36 patients received a score of 7 or higher (scale of 10, lower numbers denote greater dysfunction). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonography images of the scrotum revealed characteristics that were commonly present in patients with CBAVD. Therefore, this method is helpful to diagnose CBAVD by identifying the features of epididymis structural abnormalities and cystic or tubular dilation of the epididymis.

Diffusion-Weighted Genitourinary Imaging.

This review article aims to provide an overview on of diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DW-MR imaging) in the urogenital tract. Compared with conventional cross-sectional imaging methods, the additional value of DW-MR imaging in the detection and further characterization of benign and malignant lesions of the kidneys, bladder, prostate, and pelvic lymph nodes is discussed as well as the role of DW-MR imaging in the evaluation of treatment response.

Complicated Genitourinary Tract Infections and Mimics.

This article provides pictorial review of complicated upper and lower genitourinary infections and their mimics. Imaging features of upper urinary tract infections including uncomplicated acute pyelonephritis, xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGPN), emphysematous pyelonephritis, perirenal abscess, and pyonephrosis are first reviewed and then followed by pictorial review of their mimics including contrast-associated nephrotoxicity, renal infarcts, malakoplakia, renal cell cancer, leukemia or lymphoma and Castleman's disease. Next, imaging features of lower urinary tract infections including cystitis, emphysematous cystitis, enterovesical, colovesical and vesicovaginal fistulas, Fournier gangrene, prostatitis, epididymitis, and orchitis are reviewed and then followed by pictorial review of their mimics including gas in the bladder and perineum related to instrumentation, radiation cystitis, bladder cancer, testicular torsion, testicular trauma, and testicular cancer and lymphoma. Recognizing imaging characteristics of complicated genitourinary infections and their mimics would allow clinicians to provide appropriate timely management.

Ultrasonography in Diagnosis of Congenital Absence of the Vas Deferens.

BACKGROUND Congenital absence of the vas deferens is an important cause of obstructive azoospermia, and the lack of an imaging diagnostic test is a critical problem. The aim of this study is to discuss the use of ultrasonography in congenital absence of vas deferens, including dysplasia of the epididymis and the seminal vesical. MATERIAL AND METHODS Five fresh spermatic cord specimens were detected by ultrasonography (US) to evaluate the image of the spermatic cord segment of the vas deferens. Fifty normal males had scrotal US to confirm whether the normal spermatic cord segment of the vas deferens can be detected and to measure the internal and external diameter on the long axis view. Forty-six males clinically diagnosed as having congenital absence of vas deferens underwent scrotal US to evaluate the spermatic cord segment of the vas deferens and the epididymis. The seminal vesicals were detected with transrectal ultrasonography. We evaluated images of the vas deferens, epididymis, and seminal vesical. RESULTS Scrotal ultrasonography can distinguish the vas deferens from the other cord-like structures in the spermatic cord, and the vas deferens has a characteristic image. Scrotal ultrasonography detected all 50 normal males and measured the diameter. No statistically significant difference was found between the left and right measurements. In the 46 patients, the following anomalies were observed: 1) 42 cases of congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens; 2) 2 cases of congenital unilateral absence of the vas deferens; and 3) 1 case of congenital segmental absence of the vas deferens. All 46 cases were accompanied with epididymis and seminal vesical anomalies. CONCLUSIONS The spermatic cord segment of the vas deferens can be detected by US, which is a valuable tool in diagnosis of congenital absence of the vas deferens. Seminal vesical and epididymis anomalies often associated with congenital absence of the vas deferens were revealed by ultrasonography.

[Echoscopy]. / Echoskopie.

The clinical use of pocket size ultrasound devices is still at an early stage. Its performance has been studied and proven in cardiology, gynecology, and gastroenterology. It is expected that the image quality will improve and that more techniques for miniaturized devices will be available in the near future. The perspective will be that more and more clinicians will have "echoscopes" as a bedside tool, replacing or complementary to a "stethoscope". The term "echoscopy" was defined by the European Federation of Societies of Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB). Echoscopy is one form of point of care ultrasound (POCUS). Teaching material has been prepared by EFSUMB on how to use it (www.efsumb.org).

Calcification of the vas deferens and seminal vesicles: a review.

INTRODUCTION: Calcification of the vas deferens and seminal vesicles is a rare condition of unknown incidence. It has been described in association with diabetes, hyperparathyroidism and genitourinary tuberculosis, amongst other conditions. Little is known about the clinical significance and management of this condition. We review the literature in an effort to find answers about an entity that is frequently appreciated as an incidental finding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An electronic database search was performed (Medline) using the key words: vas deferens; seminal vesicles; calcification, alone or in combination. Articles were selected according to relevance and quality of evidence. RESULTS: The search included published manuscripts between 1960 and 2012. A total of 17 relevant publications were identified. The majority were written in the English language and mostly consisted of case presentations and reports of radiologic findings. CONCLUSION: Calcification of the vas deferens and seminal vesicles is a rare condition. However, it may be implicated in male factor infertility and symptoms from the urogenital tract. Treatment should be directed towards the underlying cause on an individual basis. It is unknown whether control of the primary process has any effects on the histopathological appearance of the ducts and/or their improvement of function.

Unusual videourodynamic finding: massive scrotal cystocele.

Urinary bladder involvement within inguinal hernias occurs in up to 4% of patients. However, massive extension of the bladder into the scrotum, or scrotal cystocele, is very rare, with less than 30 reported cases. The presenting symptoms vary. Most patients will have some element of voiding dysfunction. However, some patients will present with renal failure, sepsis, or bladder necrosis, although others will remain asymptomatic.(1-4) We report a patient who presented with irritative voiding symptoms and a large, right-sided hydrocele. On evaluation of his voiding symptoms, he was found to have a large scrotal cystocele.