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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Ultrasound Int Open 2017; 03(04): E150-E155
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-116660
Original Article
Eigentümer und Copyright ©Georg Thieme Verlag KG 2017

Comparison of Tissue Stiffness Using Shear Wave Elastography in Men with Normal Testicular Tissue, Testicular Microlithiasis and Testicular Cancer

Malene Roland Pedersen
1   Department of Radiology, Clinical Cancer Centre, Vejle Hospital, Part of Lillebaelt Hospital, Denmark
2   Urological Research Centre, Vejle Hospital, Part of Lillebaelt Hospital, Denmark
3   Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
,
Henrik Møller
4   Cancer Epidemiology and Population Health, Kingʼs College London, United Kingdom
5   Research Unit for General Practice, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
,
Palle Jørn Sloth Osther
2   Urological Research Centre, Vejle Hospital, Part of Lillebaelt Hospital, Denmark
3   Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
,
Peter Vedsted
5   Research Unit for General Practice, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
6   Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark
,
René Holst
3   Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
7   Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Biostatistics, University of Oslo
,
Søren Rafael Rafaelsen
1   Department of Radiology, Clinical Cancer Centre, Vejle Hospital, Part of Lillebaelt Hospital, Denmark
3   Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Weitere Informationen

Publikationsverlauf

received 15. Januar 2017
revised 10. Mai 2017

accepted 22. Juni 2017

Publikationsdatum:
20. Dezember 2017 (online)

   Lizenzen und Reprints

Abstract

Objectives To compare elastography measurements in men with normal testicular tissue, testicular microlithiasis and testicular cancer.

Methods A total of 248 consecutive patients were included. All men provided written informed consent. Testicular stiffness was assessed using shear wave elastography (SWE). Three SWE velocity measurements were assessed in each testicle. The patients were divided into three groups; men with normal testicular tissue (n=130), men with testicular microlithiasis (n=99) and men with testicular cancer (n=19).

Results We found a higher mean velocity in the group of patients with testicular cancer (1.92 m/s (95% CI 1.82–2.03)) compared to both the group with normal tissue (0.76 m/s (95% CI: 0.75–0.78)) (p<0.001) and the group with testicular microlithiasis 0.79 m/s (95% CI: 0.77–0.81) (p<0.001).

Conclusion The presence of testicular microlithiasis increased stiffness slightly, but within the range of variation in normal testicles. Increased stiffness may indicate testicular malignancy in testicular lesions. Ultrasound elastography could be a very useful tool when investigating scrotum.

Key words

elastography - ultrasonography - testicular microlithiasis - scrotum - testis cancer
 

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