Testicular microlithiasis and preliminary experience of acoustic radiation force impulse imaging

BACKGROUND: Elastography of the testis can be used as a part of multiparametric examination of the scrotum. PURPOSE: To determine the testicular stiffness using acoustic radiation force impulse imaging (ARFI) technique in men with testicular microlithiasis (TML). MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 2013, 12 patients with diagnosed testicular microlithiasis in 2008 (mean age, 51 years; age range, 25–76 years) underwent a 5-year follow-up B-mode ultrasonography with three ARFI elastography measurements of each testis. We used a Siemens Acuson S3000 machine. RESULTS: No malignancy was found at the 5-year follow-up B-mode and elastography in 2013. However, we found an increase in TML; in the previous ultrasonography in 2008, eight men had bilateral TML, whereas in 2013, 10 men were diagnosed with bilateral TML. The mean elasticity of testicles with TML was 0.82 m/s (interquartile range [IQR], 0.72–0.88 m/s; range, 65–1.08 m/s). CONCLUSION: Elastography velocity of testis with TML seems to be in the same velocity range as in men with normal testis tissue.