Magnetic resonance image of the scrotum. Observation in 129 patients

In the present study 129 patients underwent MR imaging for evaluation of the scrotum with spin-echo pulse sequence (proton density and T2-weighted images). The final diagnosis was confirmed by surgery in 54 patients. The findings show that MRI is a powerful supplementary technique for scrotal imaging when ultrasound findings are unclear or are inconsistent with the clinical history. MRI can reduce the number of unnecessary exploratory operations on the testis, though surgery is unavoidable if the findings are equivocal. Differentiation and specification of tumours cannot be achieved by MRI, nor does it allow accurate evaluation of subacute torsion of the testis. In these cases dynamic MRT following intravenous administration of Gd-DTPA may improve the diagnostic accuracy. (orig.)