[Magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) of the scrotum--initial results and comparison with sonography. II: Intratesticular pathology].

The wide differences in signal intensity in the scrotum provide an excellent background for the assessment of intratesticular pathology. Besides hemorrhage, all intratesticular pathologic changes have lower signal intensities than surrounding normal testicular tissue. Proton density- and T1-weighted images are essential for the characterization of hematomas, abscesses and hydroceles. Clear delineation of the tunica albuginea is necessary for precise assessment of trauma and tumors. Because a ruptured tunica albuginea can be visualized and because of its high sensitivity, MRI is superior to sonography in the diagnosis of trauma and orchitis. In addition, MRI is the imaging modality of choice for characterization and precise assessment of tumor size as well as for the exclusion of pathologic changes.