Gray-scale, colour and power Doppler sonography of scrotal disorders in dogs

This study was aimed at the practical use of findings obtained from gray-scale ultrasonography, colour Doppler ultrasonography and power Doppler ultrasonography in dogs referred to the clinics with complaints of scrotal swelling. Thirty four dogs of various breed and age, displaying scrotal swelling, constituted the study material. Subsequent to anamnesis of the cases, ultrasonography, colour Doppler ultrasonography and power Doppler ultrasonography of the extratesticular and intratesticular structures were performed in accordance with relevant techniques. This study demonstrated the presence of bilateral orchitis in 16 cases, unilateral orchitis in 6, intratesticular cysts in 2, hernia scrotalis in 1, extratesticular scrotal oedema due to trauma and bite wounds in 4, congenital cryptorchidism in 1, tumor in 2, and epididymitis in 2 cases. In conclusion, ultrasonographical examination performed with a high resolution probe was considered to contribute to differential diagnosis, whereas colour Doppler ultrasonography as a non-invasive imaging method, and power Doppler ultrasonography were determined to yield exact diagnosis, based on the evaluation of vascularisation and blood flow in the periphery of the lesion, in the diagnosis of scrotal disorders in dogs.