The Value of Ultrasonic and Clinical Features in Differential Diagnosis of Focal Epididymal Lesions

Objective: To evaluate the clinical value of ultrasonic and clinical features in differential diagnosis of focal epididymal lesions.Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of 48 focal epididymal lesions including nonspecific epidi-(dymitis,)tuberculous epididymitis and epididymal seminal cysts.The following ultrasonic and clinical features were analyzed:size,location,echogenicity,and heterogeneity of the lesion;presence or absence of hydrocele,blood flow in the lesion;(patient's) age;duration of symptoms;and scrotal tenderness.Results:Focal Lesions of tuberculous epididymitis were larger than the lesions of nonspecific epididymitis(P0.05) and there was calcified plaques in the lesions of tuberculous epidi-(dymitis.)The blood flow in the lesions of nonspecific epididymitis was more rich than that of tuberculous epididymitis(P(0.05)) and that of epididymal seminal cysts(P0.01).The duration of symptoms of tuberculous epidydimitis and epidi-(dymal) seminal cyst was longer than that of nonspecific epididymitis(P0.01).The frequency of scrotal tenderness was higher in patients with nonspecific epididymitis than that of tuberculous epididymitis(P0.01) and that of epididymal seminal cysts(P0.01).There was no manifest difference of focal epididymal lesions in location and presence of hydrocele.Conclusion: Ultrasonic and clinical features have great value in differential diagnosis of focal epididymal lesions and offer objective evidence to clinical diagnosis,treatment of epididymal disease and assessment of curative effect.