Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Korea.
Published online: January 1, 2001.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To differentiate tuberculous and nontuberculous epididymitis, using US findings. MATERIALS & METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the sonographic findings of 16 cases (15 patients) of tuberculous epididymitis and eight cases(eight patients) of nontuberculous epididymitis. The diagnosis is made by surgery (23 cases) or clinical and sonographic follow up (one case). Tuberculosis in other organ was also analyzed. RESULTS: The involving sites of tuberculous epididymitis were 1) diffuse(five cases), 2) tail or predominantly tail (nine cases), 3) head (one case) or body (one case). The involving sites of nontuberculous epididymitis were 1) diffuse (three cases), 2) tail or tail predominantly (three cases), 3) head (one case) or body (one case). In the cases of tuberculous epididymitis, heterogeneous hypoechogenicity was found in 15 cases and heterogeneous hyperechogenicity in one case. In the cases of nontuberculous epididymitis, four cases showed heterogeneous hypoechogenicity and the others showed homogenous hypoechogenicity. Extrascrotal tuberculosis were found in nine patient with tuberculous epididymitis, and in only one patient with nontuberculous epididymitis. CONCLUSION: The sonographic findings of tuberculous and nontuberculous epididymitis can be different. US findins of predominatly involved epididymal tail with heterogeneous hypoechogenicity and tuberculosis in extrascrotal organ can be useful in differential diagnosis of tuberculous epididymitis from nontuberculous epididymitis.
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