Can Testicular Ultrasound Detect Orchitis?

When patients with orchitis go to a hospital to check their disease, they are often required to have various pathologies and instrument examinations. Some patients are concerned that the doctor may be overstating the case and over-examining the patient. The diagnosis of orchitis requires a combination of various tools. 
 

The doctor usually diagnoses orchitis using ultrasound, but in some cases, it is impossible to confirm the diagnosis. A professional doctor needs to make a comprehensive judgment by combining the patient's clinical symptoms and physical examination, blood, and urine routines.

 

In general, the diagnosis of orchitis is made based on the patient's typical symptoms, as well as routine blood tests suggesting a white blood cell count above normal (average value 4.00-10.00*109/L), combined with ultrasound examination (suggesting an enlarged testicle with low and disorganized echogenicity) and CT examination (seeing an enlarged testicle on the affected side). 

 

Therefore, for some patients with orchitis, ultrasound and CT examination should be used while referring to routine blood results.

 

Orchitis is a rare infectious inflammatory disease. Because the testes have a rich blood supply and lymphatic fluid, they are more resistant to bacterial infection. The testes are rarely directly infected with bacteria but are primarily secondary to infections in other body parts. The main symptoms of acute orchitis are high fever, testicular enlargement, and pain. The main symptoms of chronic orchitis are swollen and enlarged testicles  accompanied by mild tenderness, etc. Clinically, doctors can usually determine whether the testicles are inflamed by observation and palpation.

 

However, although the diagnosis of orchitis can be made based on the patient's medical history and signs and symptoms, some laboratory tests and imaging evidence are needed to confirm the diagnosis. After all, swollen and painful testicles do not necessarily mean that there is orchitis in patients. Other conditions can also cause symptoms, such as testicular enlargement and pain. 

 

For example, sudden torsional damage to the testicle can cause orchitis, which cannot be seen through the naked eye and requires the use of ultrasound. In addition, patients with diseases such as epididymitis, prostatitis, seminal vesiculitis, etc., may also have swollen and painful testicles, which requires the diagnosis of the cause and active treatment of the primary disease.

 

Testosteritis ultrasound can be used to examine the testicles and assist in the examination of any disease of the testicles. Ultrasound can show anatomical images of the scrotal contents, which can reveal the extent of swelling and inflammation, and Doppler ultrasound shows increased blood flow in acute inflammation and decreased blood flow in testicular torsion. This tool can effectively help the physician diagnose the patient's condition.

 

Only when the diagnosis is clear can targeted treatment be performed. Patients need to rest and elevate the scrotum to reduce edema during treatment. The appropriate therapeutic drugs need to be chosen, and targeted therapy, such as antibacterial and anti-inflammatory treatment with sensitive antibiotics, is given. 

 

Patients must be properly nourished and rested in bed. Local hot compresses on the affected area can help relieve pain (note that hot compresses should not be applied in the early stages of acute inflammation), and the scrotum and testicles can also be elevated to reduce discomfort.

 

The patient can also take the traditional Chinese medicine Diuretic and Anti-inflammatory Pill, which is effective in treating male urinary system conditions such as epididymitis, prostatitis, urinary tract infection, etc. It is easy to take and has no toxic or side effects.

 

Ultrasound can help diagnose testicular lesions, but the doctor should also refer to the specific degree of inflammation. Any machine is not omnipotent, so the doctor needs to determine the condition and diagnose the disease according to comprehensive examinations. 

 

 

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