Normal Changes and Ranges of Pediatric Testicular Volume and Shear Wave Elasticity

Ultrasound Med Biol. 2019 Jul;45(7):1638-1643. doi: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2019.02.026. Epub 2019 Apr 19.

Abstract

To determine normal ranges for pediatric testicular volume and stiffness values (SV) on ultrasonography (US) and shear wave elastography (SWE) with respect to age and weight, testicular US scans (including SWE) of children (<10 y old) performed from February 2015 to January 2017 were retrospectively reviewed; grossly normal testes or testes with small hydroceles were included. Correlations between age weight, and testicular volume or SV were evaluated. Among a total of 52 boys (1-92 mo, median = 23.5 mo), there were positive correlations between testicular volume and age (R2 = 0.451, p < 0.001) and weight (R2 = 0.515, p < 0.001). Testicular SV was negatively correlated with age (R2 = 0.166, p = 0.051) and weight (R2 = 0.372, p = 0.049). Therefore, SV decreases while volume increases with increasing weight in testes of healthy children. Normal ranges for testicular volume and SV in children younger than 10 y are reported.

Keywords: Children; Elastography; Normal; Testis; Ultrasonography.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Elasticity Imaging Techniques / methods*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Organ Size
  • Reference Values
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Testis / anatomy & histology*
  • Testis / diagnostic imaging