What is an ultrasound examination (echography) of the testicles? An ultrasound examination (sonography) of the testicles is a non-invasive procedure to diagnose a number of problems, such as testicular torsion, testicular cancer and epididymitis. Ultrasound is a diagnostic imaging method that uses ultrasound waves to create a picture of the internal structures of the body. Images can help diagnose disease or injury. An ultrasound examination is very low risk and is performed entirely outside the body. The testicles are part of the male reproductive system. Their main function is to produce seminal fluid and hormones. The testicles are located in a pouch called the scrotum. When is testicular ultrasound used? An ultrasound examination (ultrasound) of the testicles is used to investigate a number of problems with the scrotum, testicles or epididymis (testicle). An ultrasound may be ordered if a patient has injury, pain, or swelling in or around the testicles. Specific uses for testicular ultrasound include: Examining testicular lumps A testicular ultrasound is one of the first tests performed if a specialist suspects that a patient may have testicular cancer. Ultrasound is used to determine whether a lump found in the testicles may be due to malignancy. Ultrasound examinations can help to see the size and location of the lump. The images can also help the doctor determine whether the lump is filled with fluid, which is often harmless, or solid, which may indicate malignancy. Testicular Torsion Testicular torsion is a serious, very painful condition that requires immediate medical attention. This happens when the spermatic cord, which supplies blood to the testicle, becomes twisted. If testicular torsion is not treated immediately, the blood supply can be cut off, causing the testicular tissue to die. This condition often requires surgery to prevent further damage to the testicle. Medical help should be sought immediately if severe pain in the testicles is experienced for no apparent reason. Epididymitis Epididymitis is an inflammation of the epididymis (the epididymis – the tightly coiled tube behind the testicle that stores and transports seminal fluid). Inflammation of the epididymis can cause fluid to build up around the testicle, resulting in a lump or swelling. Epididymitis (inflammation of the testicle) is usually caused by an infection. Infertility The testicles produce and store semen. Problems affecting the testicles can sometimes cause male infertility. Potential problems that may be causing the condition include – infection, injury, previous surgery or illness. Undescended testes Cryptorchidism (undescended,unretained testicle) is a common condition affecting young men. During fetal development, the testicles must naturally move down from the inside of the abdomen to eventually be located outside the body in the scrotum. This usually happens before birth, but can take up to 6 months after birth. If the testicles do not descend by the age of 6 months, it is extremely important to consult a specialist, and sometimes surgery may be necessary. What does testicular ultrasound preparation consist of? It is not necessary to abstain from food and drink before the procedure. Before the examination, the man must remove all his clothes below the waist. It is recommended to wear loose clothing that is easy to remove. During the examination, the patient must remain as still as possible so that the equipment creates a clear image of the testicles. What is an ultrasound examination of the testicles? A testicular ultrasound usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes. Before the procedure, the patient is asked to lie on his back on the table. During the examination, the patient may need to change his position. Testicular ultrasound is performed outside the body. A small handpiece called a transducer, which is hand-held by the examiner, is used to send and receive the ultrasound waves reflected by the tissues. The doctor will apply a water-based gel to the scrotum to ensure good contact between the skin and the transducer. The gel also allows the transducer to move smoothly across the skin to produce clear images. The gel can be felt cold on the skin, although it is sometimes warmed beforehand. The specialist moves the transducer back and forth over the scrotum to take images of the testicles. The pressure from the transducer is usually mild, but may cause some discomfort if the patient has an injury or swelling in the area. When the examination is complete, the doctor will wipe the gel off the skin. Gel left on the body will dry quickly and will not normally affect clothing. What can testicular ultrasound results show? Ultrasounds are usually processed relatively quickly. Often, the specialist will be able to discuss the results with the patient immediately after the test is performed. If the doctor cannot discuss the results after the test, an imaging specialist will review and interpret the testicular ultrasound results. Some urologists can perform and interpret ultrasounds in their office. Depending on the results, the doctor may assign the patient additional tests. References: 1. National Health Service (NHS). Ultrasound scan 2. Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Ultrasound � Scrotum 3. Testicular Cancer Foundation. How is testicular cancer diagnosed? 4. Medical News Today. What happens during a testicular ultrasound?During fetal development, the testicles must naturally move down from the inside of the abdomen to eventually be located outside the body in the scrotum. This usually happens before birth, but can take up to 6 months after birth. If the testicles do not descend by the age of 6 months, it is extremely important to consult a specialist, and sometimes surgery may be necessary. What does testicular ultrasound preparation consist of? It is not necessary to abstain from food and drink before the procedure. Before the examination, the man must remove all his clothes below the waist. It is recommended to wear loose clothing that is easy to remove. During the examination, the patient must remain as still as possible so that the equipment creates a clear image of the testicles. What is testicular ultrasound? A testicular ultrasound usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes. Before the procedure, the patient is asked to lie on his back on the table. During the examination, the patient may need to change his position. Testicular ultrasound is performed outside the body. A small handpiece called a transducer, which is hand-held by the examiner, is used to send and receive the ultrasound waves reflected by the tissues. The doctor will apply a water-based gel to the scrotum to ensure good contact between the skin and the transducer. The gel also allows the transducer to move smoothly across the skin to produce clear images. The gel can be felt cold on the skin, although it is sometimes warmed beforehand. The specialist moves the transducer back and forth over the scrotum to take images of the testicles. The pressure from the transducer is usually mild, but may cause some discomfort if the patient has an injury or swelling in the area. When the examination is complete, the doctor will wipe the gel off the skin. Gel remaining on the body will dry quickly and will not normally affect clothing. What can testicular ultrasound results show? Ultrasounds are usually processed relatively quickly. Often, the specialist will be able to discuss the results with the patient immediately after the test is performed. If the doctor cannot discuss the results after the test, an imaging specialist will review and interpret the testicular ultrasound results. Some urologists can perform and interpret ultrasound examinations in their office. Depending on the results, the doctor may assign the patient additional tests. References: 1. National Health Service (NHS). Ultrasound scan 2. Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Ultrasound � Scrotum 3. Testicular Cancer Foundation. How is testicular cancer diagnosed? 4. Medical News Today. What happens during a testicular ultrasound?During fetal development, the testicles must naturally move down from the inside of the abdomen to eventually be located outside the body in the scrotum. This usually happens before birth, but can take up to 6 months after birth. If the testicles do not descend by the age of 6 months, it is extremely important to consult a specialist, and sometimes surgery may be necessary. What does testicular ultrasound preparation consist of? It is not necessary to abstain from food and drink before the procedure. Before the examination, the man must remove all his clothes below the waist. It is recommended to wear loose clothing that is easy to remove. During the examination, the patient must remain as still as possible so that the equipment creates a clear image of the testicles. What is testicular ultrasound? A testicular ultrasound usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes. Before the procedure, the patient is asked to lie on his back on the table. During the examination, the patient may need to change his position. Testicular ultrasound is performed outside the body. A small handpiece called a transducer, which is hand-held by the examiner, is used to send and receive the ultrasound waves reflected by the tissues. The doctor will apply a water-based gel to the scrotum to ensure good contact between the skin and the transducer. The gel also allows the transducer to move smoothly across the skin to produce clear images. The gel can be felt cold on the skin, although it is sometimes warmed beforehand. The specialist moves the transducer back and forth over the scrotum to take images of the testicles. The pressure from the transducer is usually mild, but may cause some discomfort if the patient has an injury or swelling in the area. When the examination is complete, the doctor will wipe the gel off the skin. Gel left on the body will dry quickly and will not normally affect clothing. What can testicular ultrasound results show? Ultrasounds are usually processed relatively quickly. Often, the specialist will be able to discuss the results with the patient immediately after the test is performed. If the doctor cannot discuss the results after the test, an imaging specialist will review and interpret the testicular ultrasound results. Some urologists can perform and interpret ultrasound examinations in their office. Depending on the results, the doctor may assign the patient additional tests. References: 1. National Health Service (NHS). Ultrasound scan 2. Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Ultrasound � Scrotum 3. Testicular Cancer Foundation. How is testicular cancer diagnosed? 4. Medical News Today. What happens during a testicular ultrasound?This usually happens before birth, but can take up to 6 months after birth. If the testicles do not descend by the age of 6 months, it is extremely important to consult a specialist, and sometimes surgery may be necessary. What does testicular ultrasound preparation consist of? It is not necessary to abstain from food and drink before the procedure. Before the examination, the man must remove all his clothes below the waist. It is recommended to wear loose clothing that is easy to remove. During the examination, the patient must remain as still as possible so that the equipment creates a clear image of the testicles. What is an ultrasound examination of the testicles? A testicular ultrasound usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes. Before the procedure, the patient is asked to lie on his back on the table. During the examination, the patient may need to change his position. Testicular ultrasound is performed outside the body. A small handpiece called a transducer, which is hand-held by the examiner, is used to send and receive the ultrasound waves reflected by the tissues. The doctor will apply a water-based gel to the scrotum to ensure good contact between the skin and the transducer. The gel also allows the transducer to move smoothly across the skin to produce clear images. The gel can be felt cold on the skin, although it is sometimes warmed beforehand. The specialist moves the transducer back and forth over the scrotum to take images of the testicles. The pressure from the transducer is usually mild, but may cause some discomfort if the patient has an injury or swelling in the area. When the examination is complete, the doctor will wipe the gel off the skin. Gel left on the body will dry quickly and will not normally affect clothing. What can testicular ultrasound results show? Ultrasounds are usually processed relatively quickly. Often, the specialist will be able to discuss the results with the patient immediately after the test is performed. If the doctor cannot discuss the results after the test, an imaging specialist will review and interpret the testicular ultrasound results. Some urologists can perform and interpret ultrasounds in their office. Depending on the results, the doctor may assign the patient additional tests. References: 1. National Health Service (NHS). Ultrasound scan 2. Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Ultrasound � Scrotum 3. Testicular Cancer Foundation. How is testicular cancer diagnosed? 4. Medical News Today. What happens during a testicular ultrasound?This usually happens before birth, but can take up to 6 months after birth. If the testicles do not descend by the age of 6 months, it is extremely important to consult a specialist, and sometimes surgery may be necessary. What does testicular ultrasound preparation consist of? It is not necessary to abstain from food and drink before the procedure. Before the examination, the man must remove all his clothes below the waist. It is recommended to wear loose clothing that is easy to remove. During the examination, the patient must remain as still as possible so that the equipment creates a clear image of the testicles. What is an ultrasound examination of the testicles? A testicular ultrasound usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes. Before the procedure, the patient is asked to lie on his back on the table. During the examination, the patient may need to change his position. Testicular ultrasound is performed outside the body. A small handpiece called a transducer, which is hand-held by the examiner, is used to send and receive the ultrasound waves reflected by the tissues. The doctor will apply a water-based gel to the scrotum to ensure good contact between the skin and the transducer. The gel also allows the transducer to move smoothly across the skin to produce clear images. The gel can be felt cold on the skin, although it is sometimes warmed beforehand. The specialist moves the transducer back and forth over the scrotum to take images of the testicles. The pressure from the transducer is usually mild, but may cause some discomfort if the patient has an injury or swelling in the area. When the examination is complete, the doctor will wipe the gel off the skin. Gel left on the body will dry quickly and will not normally affect clothing. What can testicular ultrasound results show? Ultrasounds are usually processed relatively quickly. Often, the specialist will be able to discuss the results with the patient immediately after the test is performed. If the doctor cannot discuss the results after the test, an imaging specialist will review and interpret the testicular ultrasound results. Some urologists can perform and interpret ultrasounds in their office. Depending on the results, the doctor may assign the patient additional tests. References: 1. National Health Service (NHS). Ultrasound scan 2. Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Ultrasound � Scrotum 3. Testicular Cancer Foundation. How is testicular cancer diagnosed? 4. Medical News Today. What happens during a testicular ultrasound?What does testicular ultrasound preparation consist of? It is not necessary to abstain from food and drink before the procedure. Before the examination, the man must remove all his clothes below the waist. It is recommended to wear loose clothing that is easy to remove. During the examination, the patient must remain as still as possible so that the equipment creates a clear image of the testicles. What is an ultrasound examination of the testicles? A testicular ultrasound usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes. Before the procedure, the patient is asked to lie on his back on the table. During the examination, the patient may need to change his position. Testicular ultrasound is performed outside the body. A small handpiece called a transducer, which is hand-held by the examiner, is used to send and receive the ultrasound waves reflected by the tissues. The doctor will apply a water-based gel to the scrotum to ensure good contact between the skin and the transducer. The gel also allows the transducer to move smoothly across the skin to produce clear images. The gel can be felt cold on the skin, although it is sometimes warmed beforehand. The specialist moves the transducer back and forth over the scrotum to take images of the testicles. The pressure from the transducer is usually mild, but may cause some discomfort if the patient has an injury or swelling in the area. When the examination is complete, the doctor will wipe the gel off the skin. Gel left on the body will dry quickly and will not normally affect clothing. What can testicular ultrasound results show? Ultrasounds are usually processed relatively quickly. Often, the specialist will be able to discuss the results with the patient immediately after the test is performed. If the doctor cannot discuss the results after the test, an imaging specialist will review and interpret the testicular ultrasound results. Some urologists can perform and interpret ultrasounds in their office. Depending on the results, the doctor may assign the patient additional tests. References: 1. National Health Service (NHS). Ultrasound scan 2. Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Ultrasound � Scrotum 3. Testicular Cancer Foundation. How is testicular cancer diagnosed? 4. Medical News Today. What happens during a testicular ultrasound?What does testicular ultrasound preparation consist of? It is not necessary to abstain from food and drink before the procedure. Before the examination, the man must remove all his clothes below the waist. It is recommended to wear loose clothing that is easy to remove. During the examination, the patient must remain as still as possible so that the equipment creates a clear image of the testicles. What is an ultrasound examination of the testicles? A testicular ultrasound usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes. Before the procedure, the patient is asked to lie on his back on the table. During the examination, the patient may need to change his position. Testicular ultrasound is performed outside the body. A small handpiece called a transducer, which is hand-held by the examiner, is used to send and receive the ultrasound waves reflected by the tissues. The doctor will apply a water-based gel to the scrotum to ensure good contact between the skin and the transducer. The gel also allows the transducer to move smoothly across the skin to produce clear images. The gel can be felt cold on the skin, although it is sometimes warmed beforehand. The specialist moves the transducer back and forth over the scrotum to take images of the testicles. The pressure from the transducer is usually mild, but may cause some discomfort if the patient has an injury or swelling in the area. When the examination is complete, the doctor will wipe the gel off the skin. Gel remaining on the body will dry quickly and will not normally affect clothing. What can testicular ultrasound results show? Ultrasounds are usually processed relatively quickly. Often, the specialist will be able to discuss the results with the patient immediately after the test is performed. If the doctor cannot discuss the results after the test, an imaging specialist will review and interpret the testicular ultrasound results. Some urologists can perform and interpret ultrasound examinations in their office. Depending on the results, the doctor may assign the patient additional tests. References: 1. National Health Service (NHS). Ultrasound scan 2. Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Ultrasound � Scrotum 3. Testicular Cancer Foundation. How is testicular cancer diagnosed? 4. Medical News Today. What happens during a testicular ultrasound?During the examination, the patient may need to change his position. Testicular ultrasound is performed outside the body. A small handpiece called a transducer, which is hand-held by the examiner, is used to send and receive the ultrasound waves reflected by the tissues. The doctor will apply a water-based gel to the scrotum to ensure good contact between the skin and the transducer. The gel also allows the transducer to move smoothly across the skin to produce clear images. The gel can be felt cold on the skin, although it is sometimes warmed beforehand. The specialist moves the transducer back and forth over the scrotum to take images of the testicles. The pressure from the transducer is usually mild, but may cause some discomfort if the patient has an injury or swelling in the area. When the examination is complete, the doctor will wipe the gel off the skin. Gel left on the body will dry quickly and will not normally affect clothing. What can testicular ultrasound results show? Ultrasounds are usually processed relatively quickly. Often, the specialist will be able to discuss the results with the patient immediately after the test is performed. If the doctor cannot discuss the results after the test, an imaging specialist will review and interpret the testicular ultrasound results. Some urologists can perform and interpret ultrasound examinations in their office. Depending on the results, the doctor may assign the patient additional tests. References: 1. National Health Service (NHS). Ultrasound scan 2. Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Ultrasound � Scrotum 3. Testicular Cancer Foundation. How is testicular cancer diagnosed? 4. Medical News Today. What happens during a testicular ultrasound?During the examination, the patient may need to change his position. Testicular ultrasound is performed outside the body. A small handpiece called a transducer, which is hand-held by the examiner, is used to send and receive the ultrasound waves reflected by the tissues. The doctor will apply a water-based gel to the scrotum to ensure good contact between the skin and the transducer. The gel also allows the transducer to move smoothly across the skin to produce clear images. The gel can be felt cold on the skin, although it is sometimes warmed beforehand. The specialist moves the transducer back and forth over the scrotum to take images of the testicles. The pressure from the transducer is usually mild, but may cause some discomfort if the patient has an injury or swelling in the area. When the examination is complete, the doctor will wipe the gel off the skin. Gel remaining on the body will dry quickly and will not normally affect clothing. What can testicular ultrasound results show? Ultrasounds are usually processed relatively quickly. Often, the specialist will be able to discuss the results with the patient immediately after the test is performed. If the doctor cannot discuss the results after the test, an imaging specialist will review and interpret the testicular ultrasound results. Some urologists can perform and interpret ultrasound examinations in their office. Depending on the results, the doctor may assign the patient additional tests. References: 1. National Health Service (NHS). Ultrasound scan 2. Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Ultrasound � Scrotum 3. Testicular Cancer Foundation. How is testicular cancer diagnosed? 4. Medical News Today. What happens during a testicular ultrasound?If the doctor cannot discuss the results after the test, an imaging specialist will review and interpret the testicular ultrasound results. Some urologists can perform and interpret ultrasounds in their office. Depending on the results, the doctor may assign the patient additional tests. References: 1. National Health Service (NHS). Ultrasound scan 2. Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Ultrasound � Scrotum 3. Testicular Cancer Foundation. How is testicular cancer diagnosed? 4. Medical News Today. What happens during a testicular ultrasound?If the doctor cannot discuss the results after the test, an imaging specialist will review and interpret the testicular ultrasound results. Some urologists can perform and interpret ultrasounds in their office. Depending on the results, the doctor may assign the patient additional tests. References: 1. National Health Service (NHS). Ultrasound scan 2. Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Ultrasound � Scrotum 3. Testicular Cancer Foundation. How is testicular cancer diagnosed? 4. Medical News Today. What happens during a testicular ultrasound?