[Echography in andrological emergencies]

Ultrasonography is the first imaging method to undertake in all acute andrological disorders. It gives an accurate diagnostic picture in a high percentage of cases and is extremely useful for following patients during therapy and after surgery. The forms of acute andrological disorders, of both medical and surgical pertinence, that can be evaluated ultrasonographically include many prostate, seminal vesicle and external genital afflictions. Among the prostate and seminal vesicle disorders, of particular importance are acute prostate vesiculitis and prostatic abscess. Ultrasonography can be used to advantage in the latter as a guide to percutaneous transperineal drainage. The acute penis disorders that can be assessed by are essentially vascular affections (priapism and thrombosis of the corpus cavernosum). Ultrasonography, however, find its widest field of application in acute scrotum disorders. Ultrasonography is the most valid diagnostic aid for confirming clinical data in all forms of these disorders. It allow these that need medical treatment to be differentiated from those requiring surgery. Ultrasonography has good specificity in the differential diagnosis of spermatic cord and Morgagni's hydatid torsion, an acute scrotal affliction not uncommon in childhood, which is often self-limiting and, therefore, does not necessitate emergency surgery. Finally, ultrasonography is useful for distinguishing minor scrotal trauma which can be treated medically from major scrotal trauma which requires surgical intervention.