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OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the application value of shear wave elastography in examining normal testes and inflammatory epididymal tail masses. METHODS We examined 110 healthy male volunteers (with a total of 220 testes) and 25 patients with epididymitis via conventional scrotal ultrasonography and shear wave elastography. The mean (Emean), minimal (Emin), maximal (Emax), and standard deviation (ESD) values of elasticity were acquired. The inflammatory masses were assessed at initial diagnosis, at weeks 1 and 2 of standard anti-inflammatory treatment, upon remission, and at 2 weeks after remission. RESULTS The Emean values of different regions in testes varied in the following order: center region (3.14 ± 0.35 kPa) < upper- or lower-pole capsule (upper, 3.94 ± 0.90 kPa; lower, 3.94 ± 0.97 kPa) < posterior capsule (5.96 ± 1.46 kPa) < anterior capsule (6.27 ± 1.58 kPa). The Emean value of the center of the testicular parenchyma in the short axis was significantly larger than that in the long axis (3.47 ± 0.32 vs 3.14 ± 0.35 kPa; P < 0.05). There were significant differences in the Emean value between inflammatory epididymal tail masses at initial diagnosis, at 1 and 2 weeks after treatment, upon remission, and at 2 weeks after remission (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Shear wave elastography can be used to reflect the relative hardness of normal testes and inflammatory epididymal tail masses.

36.34 mmHg (95% CI, 33.90-38.77). Regression analysis of PW vs CF revealed a slope of 0.6960 0.09112, a y-intercept of 0.02427 4.824 and an x-intercept of -0.03486 providing evidence that both modalities measured similar flow changes. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge this study is the first to characterize a SFP within the testicular parenchyma resulting from an increased intracompartmental pressure. Due to probe sensitivity limitations, CF appears to provide the most precise mean pressure of occlusion of 52.17 mmHg. Further work to determine which of the two intratesticular pressures correlates with parenchymal loss is ongoing.