American Journal of Roentgenology, Vol 165, 879-883, Copyright © 1995 by American Roentgen Ray Society

ARTICLES

Sonography in patients with gunshot wounds of the scrotum: imaging findings and their value

TJ Learch, LP Hansch and PW Ralls
Department of Radiology, Olive View/UCLA Medical Center, Fylmar 91342, USA.

OBJECTIVE. The purposes of this study were to characterize sonographic findings in patients with scrotal injuries caused by gunshot wounds and to determine if sonography can be used to detect and differentiate various scrotal abnormalities. If patients are managed conservatively, less serious injuries (hydroceles, hematoceles, and scrotal hematomas) must be separated from those requiring urgent surgical repair (testicular rupture). MATERIALS AND METHODS. Sonograms obtained in 19 patients to evaluate gunshot wounds to the scrotum were studied for evidence of testicular rupture, extratesticular soft-tissue abnormalities, and the presence and location of foreign bodies. The results were compared with clinical (19 patients) and surgical (six patients) findings. RESULTS. Retrospective review of the sonograms showed normal testicles without evidence of rupture in 11 patients, eight of whom had scrotal hematomas, hydroceles, or hematoceles. Nine of the 11 patients were treated conservatively, and their symptoms resolved. In one of the other two patients, a prominent vessel was initially mistaken for a fracture plane; the testicle was found to be intact at surgery. The other patient was taken to surgery to remove a bullet in the peritesticular soft tissues; surgery demonstrated intact, viable testicles bilaterally, but both epididymides had through-and- through tracts from the bullet. Two patients had sonolucent tracks from missile pathways in otherwise normal appearing testicles. Testicular rupture was sonographically detected in six patients. Sonograms in all patients with surgically confirmed testicular rupture showed heterogeneous echogenicity and loss of smooth oval contour. In one patient, the sonogram showed a fracture plane. Sonograms showed foreign bodies in five patients and localized them to the testicular parenchyma (one patient) and to extratesticular soft tissues (four patients). CONCLUSION. Sonography can distinguish various scrotal abnormalities caused by ballistic trauma, information that can be useful to the urologist if conservative management is considered. Sonography can be used to distinguish less serious injuries such as scrotal hematomas, hydroceles, and hematoceles from surgical emergencies such as testicular rupture. Foreign body presence and location can also be determined. Epididymal injuries were not well visualized.
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