Audit of ultrasound in adult patients presenting with scrotal pathology at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital
Date
2024
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Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Scrotal ultrasound is one of the most frequently requested and performed radiological procedures worldwide. It is cheap, easily accessible and can significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality if prompt diagnosis and treatment are provided.
OBJECTIVES:
To determine the frequencies of the most common scrotal symptoms and scrotal ultrasound findings in adult patients presenting at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital(CHBAH).
METHOD:
Reports of all scrotal ultrasounds completed at CHBAH from the 1st of January 2020 - 31st of December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The indication for and the findings of each ultrasound were recorded. Subjects were then categorized based on corresponding indications and ultrasound findings.
RESULTS:
There were a total of 267 scrotal ultrasounds performed with 141 studies meeting the inclusion criteria.
CONCLUSIONS:
Routine scrotal ultrasound places a significant burden on radiology services in our clinical setting. In view of the significant percentage of benign and normal ultrasounds (about 97.9 %) with only 6.4 % presenting with organ threatening pathology, the referring clinicians should reconsider which patients to send for imaging based on their clinical findings and assessment.
Description
A research report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Medicine (MMed) in Diagnostic Radiology to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, School of Clinical Medicine, Johannesburg, 2023
Keywords
Scrotal ultrasound, Radiological procedures, Scrotal