Value of testicular ultrasound in the evaluation of blunt scrotal trauma without haematocele

Summary Paper of the Updated 2023 European Association of Urology Guidelines on Urological Trauma

CONTEXT

The European Association of Urology (EAU) Guidelines Panel for Urological Trauma has produced guidelines in order to assist medical professionals in the management of urological trauma in adults for the past 20 yr. It must be emphasised that clinical guidelines present the best evidence available to the experts, but following guideline recommendations will not necessarily result in the best outcome. Guidelines can never replace clinical expertise when making treatment decisions for individual patients regarding other parameters such as experience and available facilities. Guidelines are not mandates and do not purport to be a legal standard of care.

OBJECTIVE

To present a summary of the 2023 version of the EAU guidelines on the management of urological trauma.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A systematic literature search was conducted from 1966 to 2022, and articles with the highest certainty evidence were selected. It is important to note that due to its nature, genitourinary trauma literature still relies heavily on expert opinion and retrospective series.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Databases searched included Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Libraries, covering a time frame between May 1, 2021 and April 29, 2022. A total of 1236 unique records were identified, retrieved, and screened for relevance.

CONCLUSIONS

The guidelines provide an evidence-based approach for the management of urological trauma.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Trauma is a serious public health problem with significant social and economic costs. Urological trauma is common; traffic accidents, falls, intrapersonal violence, and iatrogenic injuries are the main causes. Developments in technology, continuous training of medical professionals, and improved care of polytrauma patients reduce morbidity and maximise the opportunity for quick recovery.

Imaging of traumatic injuries to the scrotum and penis

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this article is to review scrotal and penile anatomy, the role of ultrasound in evaluating scrotal and penile trauma, and the vast spectrum of sonographic manifestations of scrotal and penile trauma.

CONCLUSION

Scrotal and penile trauma is an uncommon type of trauma injury. However, knowledge of scrotal and penile anatomy and the appropriate imaging findings associated with acute traumatic injuries is important in establishing the correct diagnosis. Sonography is considered the first choice of imaging modalities in establishing a diagnosis and triaging patients into surgical and nonsurgical treatment.

Rational approach to diagnosis and management of blunt scrotal trauma

OBJECTIVES

To provide a rational approach to the diagnosis and management of blunt scrotal trauma to aid clinicians in the selection of patients for surgical exploration.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective evaluation of the medical records of 44 patients from two metropolitan tertiary referral hospitals. A total of 29 patients were recruited from July 1, 1993 to June 30, 2003 at one institution and an additional 15 patients from February 1, 1991 to January 31, 1999 at the second. Scrotal ultrasound scans were retrieved and reviewed by a uroradiologist unaware of the treatment regimen and outcome.

RESULTS

The presence of both testicular swelling and tenderness suggested more significant testicular injury; however, testicular rupture was present in the absence of tenderness. Three patients with operatively confirmed testicular rupture had only swelling on clinical examination. Five patients with intratesticular hematoma were successfully treated conservatively with interval ultrasound scans recommended to assess for resolution. All patients with operatively confirmed testicular rupture had a combination of the following ultrasound features: the presence of hematocele, disruption of the tunica albuginea, and/or extrusion of the seminiferous tubules.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients presenting after blunt scrotal trauma with clinical hematocele should progress directly to exploration. The remainder should undergo scrotal ultrasonography. Those with large hematoceles or suspected rupture on ultrasonography should also proceed to exploration. Those without hematocele, a clearly distinct tunica albuginea, and a lack of fracture planes within the testes are a subgroup that can be successfully treated conservatively.

The value of ultrasound in the evaluation of patients with blunt scrotal trauma

Twenty-one men with blunt scrotal trauma managed in the Urology Department of Riyadh Central Hospital are presented. The decision for surgical exploration was strengthened by ultrasonic findings in six patients--four men with haematocoele and ruptured testicles and two with expanding extratesticular haematoma and normal testes. In addition, sonography revealed unsuspected intratesticular haematoma and disrupted tunica albuginea (without haematocoele) in two other cases. One case managed non-operatively developed a testicular abscess detected by ultrasound. Surgery confirmed the diagnoses in all nine cases that were explored. Thirteen patients were managed non-operatively, including six cases in whom sonography revealed contused testes. Hence, the value of ultrasound scanning in evaluating patients after blunt scrotal trauma was established. It complemented clinical findings and detected unsuspected testicular injury.