The Use of Doppler Ultrasound for Suspected Testicular Torsion: Lessons Learned from a 15-Year Multicentre Retrospective Study of 2922 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Use of Doppler ultrasonography (DUS) for patients with suspected testicular torsion (TT) is highly controversial and remains debated, as it can delay surgery and its performance may vary.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the role, impact, safety, and performance of DUS in the management of patients with suspected TT before scrotal exploration.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The TORSAFUF cohort retrospectively included patients older than 12 yr who underwent surgery for suspected TT in 14 academic hospitals between 2005 and 2019. Perioperative data and surgical and DUS reports were collected.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Clinical factors influencing DUS utilisation were analysed using multivariate logistic regression. The orchidectomy rate and delay to surgery were compared by group with and without DUS receipt using one-to-one propensity score (PS) matching to assess imaging safety. For the group with preoperative imaging, DUS performance was evaluated using a contingency table.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Overall, 2922 patients were included, of whom 956 (32.7%) underwent DUS before surgery. DUS was more likely to be performed in older patients (odds ratio [OR] 1.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-1.2), those who experienced progressive onset of pain (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1-2), and patients who presented at the emergency department more than 6 h after their first scrotal symptoms (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.9-2.8). After PS matching, DUS receipt was not significantly associated with orchidectomy but the delay to surgery was 1 h longer. DUS demonstrated strong sensitivity of 85.2% (95% CI 82.1-88.3%) and specificity of 52.7% (95% CI 48.8-56.6%). The performance was better for younger patients and for those with time since onset of pain of >6 h.

CONCLUSIONS: In this large retrospective study, DUS before surgery was safe, feasible, and useful in selected cases with suspected TT, but it should not delay or replace surgery in cases with a strong clinical suspicion.

PATIENT SUMMARY: We analysed the performance and safety of an ultrasound scan of the scrotum before surgery for patients with a suspected twisted testicle (TT). This scan before surgery was not associated with a higher risk of negative outcomes but was only moderate in accurately diagnosing TT. Surgery to correct TT should not be delayed.