Trends in Testicular Injury in Korea, 1986–2015

The objectives of this study were to investigate patients treated for scrotal trauma at our institute for the last three decades to describe our experience with an emphasis on the etiologies and ultrasonographic findings in these patients. We reviewed medical records of patients who underwent scrotal ultrasonography for evaluation of testicular trauma at our institutes from 1986 to 2015. Trends regarding the etiology of scrotal trauma were evaluated during each decade. The echo pattern and contour definition of the testicular parenchyma and the pattern of hematoma development were recorded to evaluate radiographic findings of testicular injury. The correlation between ultrasonographic and intraoperative findings was assessed. A total of 115 patients were analyzed. Most patients (92.2%) presented with blunt trauma. The most common etiology of testicular trauma was assault during the first and second decades, while injury related to a fall was most common during the third decade. Of the 77 patients (67.0%) who underwent urgent exploration, 46 patients (59.7%) had testicular rupture. Loss of contour definition, heterogeneous echo pattern of the testicular parenchyma, and testicular hematoma showed a moderate to strong degree of correlation with testicular rupture (Spearman correlation co-efficient: 0.5-0.8). Over the past 30 years, the etiology of testicular injury changed from assault to falls or athletic injury and the severity of injury has decreased. Our findings demonstrate the importance of ultrasonography for determining an appropriate management strategy in scrotal trauma. Surgical exploration should be considered in patients with abnormal ultrasonographic findings.