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Asian Journal of Andrology (2012) 14, 649-654; doi:10.1038/aja.2011.172; published online 27 February 2012
Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of normal and abnormal scrotum: preliminary results
Athina C Tsili1, Maria I Argyropoulou1, Dimitrios Giannakis2, Stavros Tsampalas2, Nikolaos Sofikitis2 and Konstantinos Tsampoulas1
1 Department of Clinical Radiology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina 45500, Greece
2 Department of Urology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina 45500, Greece
Correspondence: Dr. AC Tsili, (a_tsili@yahoo.gr)
Received 5 September 2011; Revised 21 October 2011; Accepted 9 November 2011
Advance online publication 27 February 2012.
| Abstract |
Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the scrotum represents an important supplemental diagnostic tool in the evaluation of scrotal diseases. Diffusion-weighted (DW) MR imaging is a developing technique, proved to improve tissue characterization. We evaluated the feasibility and diagnostic performance of DW MR imaging in the detection and characterization of scrotal lesions. We retrospectively evaluated 31 scrotal lesions (23 intratesticular and 8 extratesticular) in 26 men. All MR examinations were performed on a 1.5-T unit, using a pelvic-phased array coil. DW sequences were obtained using a single shot, multislice spin echo planar diffusion pulse sequence and a b factor of 0 and 900 s mm−2. The DW MR characteristics and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of normal scrotal contents and scrotal diseases were evaluated. Comparison between the ADC values of normal scrotum, benign lesions and scrotal malignancies was performed. The accuracy of conventional sequences, DW images alone and DW imaging combined with conventional images in differentiating benign from malignant scrotal lesions was calculated. The ADC values of testicular malignancies were different from those of normal testis and benign intratesticular lesions, and the ADC values of benign extratesticular lesions from those of normal epididymis (P<0.05). The overall accuracy of conventional imaging, DW imaging alone and DW MR combined with conventional sequences in the characterization of intratesticular lesions was 91%, 87% and 100%, respectively. Our findings suggest that DW MR imaging and ADC values may provide valuable information in the diagnosis and characterization of scrotal diseases.
Keywords: diagnosis; epididymis; male genital neoplasms; scrotum; testicular neoplasms; testis |
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