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A comparative study of shear wave elastography in the evaluation of undescended and retractile testes in a pediatric population

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Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the diagnostic value of shear wave elastography (SWE) in the evaluation of undescended and retractile testes (RT) in a pediatric population.

Methods

We prospectively evaluated a total of 37 undescended testes (UDT), 15 RT, and 56 normal testes using SWE. The stiffness values were recorded for speed (m/s) and elasticity (kPa), and the mean stiffness values of groups were compared with each other.

Results

The mean stiffness values of the UDT (13.80 ± 4.14 kPa, 2.14 ± 0.29 m/s) were higher than the mean SWE values of the normal testes (7.44 ± 2.11 kPa, 1.57 ± 0.21 m/s) (p < 0.0001). The mean stiffness values of the RT (9.64 ± 3.71 kPa, 1.75 ± 0.35 m/s) exceeded those of the normal testes (p = 0.004 for elasticity and p = 0.02 for speed). The mean stiffness value of the UDT was higher than the retractile ones (p < 0.0001 for elasticity and speed).

Conclusion

The higher stiffness values of the UDT and the RT compared to normal testes are likely reflective of underlying pathological alterations; hence, we suggest that SWE might serve as a valuable adjunct for the management of UDT and RT by assessing and monitoring ultrastructural changes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Istanbul Mehmet Akif Ersoy Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Halkali, Istanbul, Turkey

    Onder Turna & Deniz Alis

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  1. Onder Turna
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  2. Deniz Alis
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Correspondence to Deniz Alis.

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Deniz Alis and Onder Turna have no conflicts of interest.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Turna, O., Alis, D. A comparative study of shear wave elastography in the evaluation of undescended and retractile testes in a pediatric population. J Med Ultrasonics 46, 231–237 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10396-018-0923-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10396-018-0923-9

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