Testicular Scan

A testicular scan uses a camera to take pictures of the Reference testicles Opens New Window after a Reference radioactive tracer Opens New Window accumulates in testicular tissues (Reference 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 Reference testicles Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window. Areas of the testicles where the tracer accumulates in abnormal amounts may indicate some types of tumors. The tracer may also indicate a pocket of fluid (Reference cyst Opens New Window) or infection (Reference abscess Opens New Window).

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 Reference testicular torsion Opens New Window and needs immediate medical evaluation and treatment.

Testicular Reference ultrasound Opens New Window has largely replaced testicular scans to investigate possible testicular tumors and testicular torsion.

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