Testicular Scan

Scrotal Scan

Test Overview

A testicular scan uses a camera to take pictures of the testicles after a radioactive tracer accumulates in testicular tissues (nuclear medicine test).

During a testicular scan, the tracer substance is injected into a vein in the arm. It travels through the bloodstream to the testicles. Areas of the testicles where the tracer accumulates in abnormal amounts may indicate some types of tumours. The tracer may also indicate a pocket of fluid (cyst) or infection (abscess).

A testicular scan may be done in an emergency to evaluate the cause of sudden, painful swelling of a testicle, which can be caused by a twisted spermatic cord inside the testicle. This condition is called testicular torsion and needs immediate medical evaluation and treatment.

Testicular ultrasound has largely replaced testicular scans to investigate possible testicular tumours and testicular torsion.

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Author:	Douglas Dana Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS	Last Updated: April 13, 2007
Medical Review:	Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine Avery L. Seifert, MD - Urology Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine
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