Sophia McCarthy
Operations Manager
Rebecca Falnes
Senior Sonographer
Testicular Ultrasound FAQ
One of our most commonly-requested medical ultrasounds by GPs is our Testicular/Scrotal Ultrasound. We often find that it can be daunting for patients to be booked in for this scan—especially if they are worried about their testicular health or have never had this type of procedure before. Our sonographers have years of experience performing this scan, so there is no need at all to feel embarrassed or nervous about your appointment.
What is scanned during a Testicular Scan?
A testicular ultrasound scan serves to image testicles, epididymides and kidneys. The epididymis is a coiled tube in three sections. It sits inside the scrotum, attached to the testes. The sperm move from the testes through the epididymis. The diagram below from Cleveland Clinic shows where this is located.
Why Would a GP Refer for a Testicular Scan?
The most common reason for referral for this procedure is testicular pain, though there are many other reasons why your doctor can refer you for this such as:
- To investigate a testicular mass
- To check for infection/inflammation
- To assess a hernia
- Evaluate a hydrocoele
- Evaluate a varicocele
What happens, step-by-step, during a Testicular Ultrasound?
A testicular ultrasound is a quick, non-invasive way of confirming or excluding certain pathology in relation to the testicles and the epididymis.
As during most ultrasound scans, you will be lying flat on your back looking up at the ceiling. We keep you as covered as possible, but need skin access to the area being scanned, in this case the scrotum. You’ll be asked to lower your pants and underwear to your knees and will have a paper sheet draped across your hips covering you. It’s easiest if you keep one hand under the sheet to hold your penis up on your stomach throughout the scan so it’s out of the way of the testicles. A water-based gel is used to allow the sound waves to penetrate the skin. The gel is kept at room temperature, and it may feel a little cold at first, but quickly warms up to skin temperature. The transducer, which is a small handheld device that produces the pictures, is lightly placed against the skin and moved around to get the images we need. The sound waves can’t be heard or felt, so it’s only the light pressure on the skin that you can feel.
There is a standard protocol we follow for what images are taken, including multiple measurements of each testicle and epididymis. Both the right and left sides will be done, even if you’re only concerned about one side, as it’s helpful to be able to compare for any differences. If there is a specific lump that you felt or area you’re concerned about we may ask you to point it out for us so we can ensure we’re getting all the information we need for the doctor.
At The Ultrasound Suite, we also include the kidneys with your testicular scan.
Depending on the sonographer, some scan the kidneys at the beginning while others may scan them at the end. When your kidneys are scanned you will have to lift your shirt up over your rib cage to expose the skin where the kidneys are located. We tuck some paper around your clothing to try our best and prevent the gel from getting on them, but if it does happen to make its way onto your clothes it washes right out since it’s water-based. You may be asked to roll onto your side so we can see the kidney better, as the ribs often cover parts of the kidney.
At the end of the scan, the sonographer will leave the room to allow you to clean yourself up and get dressed. When you’re ready and have all of your things you can come out of the room and go out to the reception area.
After you leave, the sonographer will send all of the images and measurements to a consultant radiologist, who will then send their report to your referring doctor. Your referring doctor should contact you when they receive the report.