[Scrotal ultrasound examinations in infants and toddlers]. / Sonographie des Skrotalinhalts bei Säuglingen und Kleinkindern.

BACKGROUND: Besides physical examination, ultrasonography is the most valuable diagnostic tool to assess the scrotum and testes in the case of an acute scrotum or scrotal pathology. PROBLEMS: In infants and toddlers the examination can be challenging. Due to the limited patient compliance, the small testicular size (< 0.5 ml), and low blood flow velocity (< 3 cm/s), it can be difficult to achieve a proper flow curve when assessing blood flow. CONCLUSION: The examiner's skills are as important as adequate equipment (i. e., linear ultrasound probe, 12-14 MHz) and optimal program settings (Doppler scale < 3 cm/s, gate 1 mm). However, if there is doubt, surgical exploration is unavoidable.