Testicular Scan: Results
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Results
A testicular scan uses a camera to take pictures of the testicles after a radioactive tracer accumulates in testicular tissues (nuclear medicine test). The results of a testicular scan are usually available within 2 days. In an emergency, results can be available within an hour.
| Normal: | The radioactive tracer flows evenly through the testicles. No accumulations of the tracer are found in any area of the testicles. |
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| Abnormal: | The tracer does not flow evenly through the testicles, indicating narrowing of, blockage of, or damage to the blood vessels in the testicles. This could indicate that blood flow has been reduced by a twisted spermatic cord inside the testicle. This is called testicular torsion. |
| Areas where the tracer accumulates in an abnormal amount could indicate a condition such as a cyst, tumor, pocket of infection (abscess), a blood clot, or inflammation of the tubes (ducts) that carry sperm (epididymis). This is called epididymitis. |
| Last updated: | February 20, 2007 |
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| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS |
| Reviewed By: | Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine, Avery L. Seifert, MD - Urology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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