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07-02-2001, 04:03 PM
Pasting from the journal "Radiology"
Genitourinary Imaging
US Findings in the Scrotum of Extreme Mountain Bikers1
Ferdinand Frauscher, MD, Andrea Klauser, MD, Arnulf Stenzl, MD, Gernot Helweg, MD, Birgit Amort, MD and Dieter zur Nedden, MD
1 From the Departments of Radiology II (F.F., A.K., G.H., B.A., D.z.N.) and Urology (A.S.), University Hospital Innsbruck, Austria. From the 1999 RSNA scientific assembly. Received June 21, 2000; revision requested July 28; revision received September 5; accepted October 2. Address correspondence to F.F., Department of Radiology, Division of Diagnostic Ultrasound, Thomas Jefferson University, 132 S 10th St, Main Bldg, Seventh Fl, Philadelphia, PA 19107-5244 (e-mail: ferdinand.frauscher@uibk.ac.at).
PURPOSE: To sonographically investigate whether mountain bikers have a higher prevalence of scrotal abnormalities compared with that in nonbikers.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-five male mountain bikers (mean age, 25 years; age range, 17–45 years) and 31 healthy nonbikers (mean age, 24 years; age range, 15–37 years) were examined for scrotal findings at ultrasonography (US). Only male subjects with a history of extensive off-road biking (2 h/d 6 d/wk; covered distance, >5,000 km/y) were assigned to the group of mountain bikers, whereas the control group did not engage in bicycling. In addition to clinical evaluation, US examination of the scrotum was performed by using a linear-array transducer operating at a frequency of 8.0 MHz.
RESULTS: Eighty (94%) mountain bikers had abnormal findings at scrotal US. Thirty-nine (46%) had a history of intermittent scrotal tenderness or discomfort but no severe scrotal trauma. Abnormal findings at US included scrotal calculi in 69 (81%), epididymal cysts in 39 (46%), epididymal calcifications in 34 (40%), testicular calcifications in 27 (32%), hydroceles in 24 (28%), varicoceles in nine (11%), and testicular microlithiasis in one (1%). In the control group, abnormal findings were noted in five (16%), all of whom had epididymal cysts. The overall difference in the number of scrotal abnormalities in bikers compared with the number in nonbikers was significant (P < .0001, 2 test).
CONCLUSION: US shows a significantly higher prevalence of extratesticular and testicular disorders in these mountain bikers compared with nonbikers.
Index terms: Athletic injuries, 847.43 • Epididymis, 847.311, 847.81 • Scrotum, abnormalities, 847.43 • Scrotum, calculi, 847.81 • Scrotum, US, 847.1298, 847.12983, 847.12989 • Testis, calculi, 847.81
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Genitourinary Imaging
US Findings in the Scrotum of Extreme Mountain Bikers1
Ferdinand Frauscher, MD, Andrea Klauser, MD, Arnulf Stenzl, MD, Gernot Helweg, MD, Birgit Amort, MD and Dieter zur Nedden, MD
1 From the Departments of Radiology II (F.F., A.K., G.H., B.A., D.z.N.) and Urology (A.S.), University Hospital Innsbruck, Austria. From the 1999 RSNA scientific assembly. Received June 21, 2000; revision requested July 28; revision received September 5; accepted October 2. Address correspondence to F.F., Department of Radiology, Division of Diagnostic Ultrasound, Thomas Jefferson University, 132 S 10th St, Main Bldg, Seventh Fl, Philadelphia, PA 19107-5244 (e-mail: ferdinand.frauscher@uibk.ac.at).
PURPOSE: To sonographically investigate whether mountain bikers have a higher prevalence of scrotal abnormalities compared with that in nonbikers.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-five male mountain bikers (mean age, 25 years; age range, 17–45 years) and 31 healthy nonbikers (mean age, 24 years; age range, 15–37 years) were examined for scrotal findings at ultrasonography (US). Only male subjects with a history of extensive off-road biking (2 h/d 6 d/wk; covered distance, >5,000 km/y) were assigned to the group of mountain bikers, whereas the control group did not engage in bicycling. In addition to clinical evaluation, US examination of the scrotum was performed by using a linear-array transducer operating at a frequency of 8.0 MHz.
RESULTS: Eighty (94%) mountain bikers had abnormal findings at scrotal US. Thirty-nine (46%) had a history of intermittent scrotal tenderness or discomfort but no severe scrotal trauma. Abnormal findings at US included scrotal calculi in 69 (81%), epididymal cysts in 39 (46%), epididymal calcifications in 34 (40%), testicular calcifications in 27 (32%), hydroceles in 24 (28%), varicoceles in nine (11%), and testicular microlithiasis in one (1%). In the control group, abnormal findings were noted in five (16%), all of whom had epididymal cysts. The overall difference in the number of scrotal abnormalities in bikers compared with the number in nonbikers was significant (P < .0001, 2 test).
CONCLUSION: US shows a significantly higher prevalence of extratesticular and testicular disorders in these mountain bikers compared with nonbikers.
Index terms: Athletic injuries, 847.43 • Epididymis, 847.311, 847.81 • Scrotum, abnormalities, 847.43 • Scrotum, calculi, 847.81 • Scrotum, US, 847.1298, 847.12983, 847.12989 • Testis, calculi, 847.81
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