Experimental study of three-dimensional ultrasonography for evaluation of testicular torsion

Objective To investigate the value of three-dimensional power Doppler angiography (3D-PDA) in quantitative evaluation of the testical blood peffusion in testicular torsion.Methods Grayscale and 3D-PDA ultrasonography were applied respectively in 20 dogs without and with testicular torsion for 180°,270°,360° and 540°,immediately and after 1,2,3,4,5 and 6 h.The testis volume,vascularization index (VI),flow index (FI) and vascularization flow index (VFI) were observed and analyzed.Results The VI,FI and VFI in the torsional testis were 6.67 ± 0.67 to 0.19 ± 0.11,33.06 ± 1.43 to 11.61 ± 2.05 and 2.21 ± 0.27 to 0.02 ± 0.01,respectively,significantly lower than in control group (7.30 ±0.61,35.70 ± 1.35 and 2.61 ±0.25 respectively,P ＜0.05).The VI,FI and VFI in the testis after 360° of torsion were 2.75 ± 0.57 to 0.71 ± 0.18,20.65 ± 2.02 to 8.41 ± 1.67 and 0.57 ± 0.14 to 0.06 ±0.02 respectively,lower than in control group (7.18 ±0.76,35.38 ± 1.36 and 2.54 ±0.31,P ＜ 0.05).With the increasing trend of torsional angle and the time,the VI,FI and VFI were gradually decreased.Conclusion 3D-PDA has high specificity and sensibility in judging the blood perfusion and distribution of the testicular torsion and provides objective quantitative parameters. Key words: Spermatic cord torsion;  Three-dimensional color power angiography;  Vascularity index;  Flow index