value of Tc99m- pertechnitate testicular scintigraphy in diagnosis of acute testicular torsion in pediatric and adult patients

ABSTRACT

of this study to evaluate the accuracy of Tc99m-Pertechnitate Testicular Scintigraphy [T.S] in evaluating patients with acute scrotal swelling and suspected testicular torsion in pediatric and adult patients by statistical analysis of the results and considering the effect of patients age factor in this regard. Seventy five patients [age range 5 to 38 years] with possible acute testicular torsion from July 2000 to July 2003 were enrolled in this study. T.S was performed for all patients. All of the patients with clinically suspected acute testicular torsion underwent surgery. The surgical findings were reviewed and definite diagnoses were established. None of the other patients had surgery and were followed clinically for at least 3 month after and radionuclide imaging. Seventy Five patients were included in the study, divided into [17 with testicular torsion 58 with non torsion] according to T.S results, with one false positive and no false negative. Overall, T.S has sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 97% in identifying a testicular torsion. 7 out of 17 patients with testicular torsion had a salvageable testicle at the time of surgery. Tc99m Scintigraphy is a reliable method for diagnosis of testicular torsion sensitivity and specificity are 100% and 98%. There was no significant statistical difference in the sensitivity between pediatric[< 15 years] and adult age groups [> 15 years]