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    Korean J Urol. 2006 Aug;47(8):866-869. Korean.
    Published online Aug 31, 2006.
    https://doi.org/10.4111/kju.2006.47.8.866
    Copyright © 2006 The Korean Urological Association
    Original Article

    Inaccuracy in Ultrasonographic Measurement of the Testicular Volume in Children

    Min Ho Cha, Byung Cheol Ahn and Young Soo Kim
      • Department of Urology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
    • Corresponding author (Email: a00014@ajou.ac.kr )
    Received January 06, 2006; Accepted July 04, 2006.

    Abstract

    Purpose

    For the measurement of testicular volume, we tried to evaluate the differences between the 1) ultrasonographic and intraoperative ruler measurements, 2) the performances by a radiologist and urologic residents and also 3) the difference among the various formulas for volume calculation.

    Materials and Methods

    The sizes of 108 testes of 96 children (mean age: 4) were measured preoperatively for the length (L) and width (W) with using ultrasonography by a radiologist. These testes were also measured intraoperatively for the L, W and thickness (T) with using a ruler. Of the 108 testes, 57 testes were also scanned with using ultrasonography by urologic residents to measure the L, W and T. The testicular volumes were calculated with three different formulas: LxW2x0.52 (F1), LxWxTx0.52 (F2) and LxWxTx0.71 (F3).

    Results

    The mean volumes of the 108 testes measured with ultrasonography by the radiologist and with a ruler were 0.27±0.2ml vs. 0.87±0.56ml, respectively (p<0.001). The mean difference between the volumes measured with ultrasonography and a ruler was 0.61±0.47ml. The mean volume of 57 testes measured with ultrasonography by the urologic residents was not significantly different from that measured by a radiologist (p=0.235), and it was also smaller than the volume measured with an intraoperative ruler (p<0.001).

    Conclusions

    The testicular volume in children was much underestimated by ultrasonography with statistical significance. Therefore, the possibility of underestimation must be considered in clinical settings. The testicular volumes measured with ultrasonography by the radiologist and by the urologic residents had no significant difference.

    Keywords
    Ultrasonography; Testis; Volume; Children

    Figures

    Fig. 1
    Measurement of testicular volume by ultrasonography. The calipers measure testicular length (A) and width (B). Testicular volumes are calculated by using the formula: volume=LxW2x0.52 (formula for a prolate spheroid). Black arrow: epididymis, white arrow: tunica albuginea.

    Fig. 2
    Comparison of the ultrasonographic and intraoperative ruler measurements of 108 testes. US: ultrasonography, rad: single pediatric radiologist, Vol.: volume, F1: LxW2x0.52 (formula for a prolate spheroid).

    Tables

    Table 1
    Comparison of the ultrasonographic measurements and the intraoperative ruler measurements of 57 testes (3-dimensional measure)

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    MeSH Terms
    Child*
    Humans
    Testis
    Ultrasonography
    Metrics
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