What is the sensitivity of color doppler ultrasonography for detecting testicular torsion?

Sensitivity is about 86% depending on the radiologist, equipment, time of day, resident vs attending reading, etc...

This means that if you have a:

• < 30 year old male


• with acute onset of severe unilateral scrotal pain


• history of prior episodes of intermittent testicular pain that resolved spontaneously


• testicle that is painful to palpation, elevated with horizontal lie, enlarged with edema, loss of cremasteric reflex, no pain relief with elevation of scrotum

Call the consulting urologist in to evaluate the patient even if the ultrasound is negative. Ultrasound, while good, is not 100% sensitive.

Source

Rupp, Timothy MD. "Testicular Torsion." eMedicine. 13 Dec 2006. <http://www.emedicine.com>