Objective:To investigate the feasibility of shear wave elastography (SWE) to evaluate the protective effect of testicular compartment decompression on spermatogenesis after testicular torsion reduction.Methods:Thirty-two rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group (S group), testicular torsion simple reduction group (I group), and testicular torsion reduction+ compartment decompression group (T group: T1 group, T2 group), 8 rabbits per group. After the complete testicular torsion model was established in the I and T groups, the I group was simply reperfused, and the T group was reperfused before decompression of the compartment. Rabbits in each group were kept for 30 days after successful modeling. Each group of rabbits underwent testicular fascia intracompartment pressure measurement and SWE examination before operation, after successful complete torsion modeling, after reperfusion and 30 days later. After the experiment, the surgical side testicles were taken for pathological examination.Results:After testicular torsion, the pressure of testicular fascia and the average Young′s modulus (Emean) of testicular tissue in each experimental group increased (all P<0.05), and further increased with the extension of torsion time (all P<0.05). After reperfusion, the testicular fascial compartment pressure and testicular tissue Emean value in group I further increased (all P<0.05), while the testicular fascial compartment pressure and testicular tissue Emean value in group T decreased (all P<0.05). Thirty days later, testicular fascial compartment pressure and testicular tissue Emean value in group I were higher than those in group T (all P<0.05), while Johnsen′s score of testicular tissue was lower than that in group T ( P<0.05), and testicular tissue apoptosis index and malondialdehyde content were higher than those in group T Group T (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Decompression of the testicular compartment has a protective effect on spermatogenesis after testicular torsion reduction. SWE can indirectly evaluate the severity of testicular compartment syndrome after testicular torsion and reduction, and the protective effect of compartment decompression on spermatogenesis.

Objective:To investigate the value of real-time shear wave elastography (SWE) in the diagnosis of acute testicular torsion.Methods:A total of 30 rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups including control group (Group S), complete torsion group (Group C) and incomplete torsion group (Group U), and corresponding animal models were built. Rabbits in each group were examined by gray scale and color Doppler ultrasound, SWE and contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) before and after operation. Mean values of elasticity modulus (Emean) of testicular capsule area, parenehyma testis, spermatic cord torsion section, torsion lower section and contrast-enhanced ultrasound parameters were recorded and then pathological examinations were performed.Results:There was no significant difference for Emean values of each group in all parts before operation( P>0.05). There was no significant difference for Emean value of S group at each period after operation( P>0.05). Emean value of postoperative testicular capsule area in U group increased obviously and rapidly compared with C group, yellow or red "hard ring signs" appeared within four to six hours after operation, there was significant difference of Emean value difference at various periods after operation in group U and C, and at 1 h, 1.5 h, 2 h, 2.5 h, 3 h and 3.5 h postoperatively between group U and C( P<0.05). Postoperative Emean value of parenchyma testis in group C and U increased about 5 kPa, expression of SWE was consistent blue. Postoperative Emean value of spermatic cord torsion section in group C increased more obviously compared with U group, a large patch of red signals appeared within five to six hours after operation, there was significant difference of Emean value at various periods after operation in group C and U, and at each period except instant, 2 h, and 3 h postoperatively between group C and U( P<0.05). Postoperative Emean value in spermatic cord torsion lower section in group U and C increased slowly ( P<0.05), expression of SWE changed from blue to blue green and green from original blue. CEUS showed blood pefusion in testis was "in and out slowly " in group U, pathological feature showed the testicular spermatogenic cells were in disorder with interstitial edema, distinct expansion of microvascular lumen, hyperemia and congestion and lots of erythrocyte leakage. CEUS showed postoperative contrast agent was not filling in testicular in group C, pathological feature showed the testicular spermatogenic cells were in disorder with interstitial edema, slight expansion of microvascular lumen, congestion and part erythrocyte leakage. Conclusions:The image changes of SWE after acute testicular torsion are related with the degree and time of torsion, the changes of testicular capsule area and spermatic cord torsion section are most significant. The use of SWE helps to get accurate hardness information of focus with effective clinical value for the diagnosis testicular torsion.

Objective:To explore the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound and its quantitative analysis technology in the evaluation of testicular microvascular injury caused by chronic alcoholism, as well as its relationship with the morphological changes of testicular spermatogenic cells.Methods:Seventy-two New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into control group (S group), low-dose alcohol group (L group), medium-dose alcohol group (M group), and high-dose alcohol group (H group). Then, the rabbits were subdivided into the groups of S1, S2, S3, L1, L2, L3, M1, M2, M3, H1, H2, H3 according to different time points (30 d, 60 d, 90 d). The rabbits in each group were examined by routine ultrasound before the experiment, followed by contrast-enhanced ultrasound examination. Testicular tissues were taken for pathological examination under light and electron microscope.Results:①The peak intensity and area under the curve of ultrasound contrast parameters gradually decreased with the increase of dosage and duration of alcohol feeding (all P<0.05), and the curvature also gradually decreased (all P<0.05). The differences of peak time, mean transit time, and peak half-time were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). ②With the increase of alcohol dosage and duration under the light microscope, the seminiferous tubule epithelium gradually became thinner, and the sperm in the cavity gradually decreased or no sperm was produced. The Johnsen′s score of testicular tissue decreased with the increase of alcohol dosage and duration (all P<0.05). The cytoplasmic mitochondria of the microvascular endothelial cells were vacuolated under the electron microscope. With the dosage and duration of alcohol feeding, the endothelial cells were vacuolated and even shed, and the basement membrane was interrupted. Conclusions:Alcohol could damage the testicular microvessels and spermatogenic cells in a dose-effect and time-effect relationship. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound can be used to evaluate the microvessel damage of testis caused by chronic alcoholism and indirectly reflect the morphological changes of spermatogenic cells.