You may not be able to have the test, or the results may not be helpful, if you:
Can't stay still during the test.
Have an open sore or wound in the area that needs to be viewed.
What To Think About
Testicular ultrasound is usually done to check a mass or pain in the testicles for cancer. Young men with a testicular mass or pain should be checked right away by a doctor. Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men.
With this test, your doctor can usually tell the difference between a fluid-filled cyst, a solid lump, or another type of mass.
A fluid-filled mass with a shape that's the same on both sides and that does not have tiny pieces floating in it is likely to be a cyst or a hydrocele.
A mass that does not have fluid, has fluid with tiny floating pieces (atypical cyst), or is larger than expected needs more testing. Often a follow-up ultrasound is done in 6 to 8 weeks. This is to allow time for the mass to go away on its own.
If a solid lump or an atypical cyst is present and a testicular ultrasound can't show if it is cancer, a biopsy may be done.
Other Works Consulted
Chernecky CC, Berger BJ (2008). Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures, 5th ed. St. Louis: Saunders.
Fischbach FT, Dunning MB III, eds. (2009). Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests, 8th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
Pagana KD, Pagana TJ (2010). Mosby’s Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests, 4th ed. St. Louis: Mosby Elsevier.
ByHealthwise Staff Primary Medical ReviewerE. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Specialist Medical ReviewerChristopher G. Wood, MD, FACS - Urology, Oncology