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Testicular Scan
A testicular scan uses a camera to take pictures of the testicles after a radioactive tracer accumulates in testicular tissues (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
testicles
. 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 (cyst) or
infection (abscess).
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 testicular torsion and needs immediate medical evaluation and treatment.
Testicular ultrasound has largely replaced testicular scans to investigate possible testicular tumors and testicular torsion.
Why It Is Done
A testicular scan is done to:
- Determine the cause of a painful, swollen testicle.
- Assess the damage to the testicles caused by an injury.
- Assess the flow of blood within the testicles.
How To Prepare
No special preparation is needed for a testicular scan.
You may be asked to sign a consent form before
the test. Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding the need
for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results will mean. To
help you understand the importance of this test, fill out the
medical test information form
(What is a PDF document?)
.
How It Is Done
A testicular scan is usually done by a nuclear medicine technologist. The scan pictures are usually interpreted by a radiologist or nuclear medicine specialist.
You will need to remove any jewelry that might interfere with the scan. You may need to take off all or most of your clothes, but you will be given a cloth or paper covering to use during the test.
The technologist cleans the site on your arm where the radioactive tracer will be injected. A small amount of the radioactive tracer is then injected.
You will lie on your back on a table and your penis will be taped to your abdomen to prevent it from interfering with the scan. A sling or towel may be used to support the testicles under the scanner. After the radioactive tracer is injected, the camera will scan for radiation released by the tracer and produce pictures of the tracer in your testicles. Two scans are done about 15 minutes apart. You need to lie very still during each scan to avoid blurring the pictures. The camera does not produce any radiation, so you are not exposed to any additional radiation while the scan is being done.
A testicular scan takes about 45 minutes.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Indication
Uroxatral® (alfuzosin HCl 10 mg extended-release tablets) is an alpha1-blocker for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH.
Important Safety Information
Do not take UROXATRAL if you have liver problems or if you are taking antifungal drugs like ketoconazole or itraconazole, or HIV drugs like ritonavir.
UROXATRAL can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, especially when starting treatment. This may lead to fainting, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do any dangerous activity until you know how UROXATRAL will affect you. This is especially important if you already have a problem with low blood pressure or take medicines to treat high blood pressure. There may be an increased risk of low blood pressure and fainting when taking UROXATRAL in combination with blood pressure medication or nitrates, or erectile dysfunction medication.
If considering cataract surgery (clouding of the eyes), tell your eye surgeon that you are currently taking UROXATRAL or have previously been treated with an alpha-blocker.
Before taking UROXATRAL, tell your doctor if you have kidney problems.
Also, tell your doctor if you or any family member(s) have or take medications for a rare heart condition known as congenital prolongation of the QT interval.
BPH and prostate cancer can cause the same symptoms. However, UROXATRAL is not a treatment for prostate cancer.
The most common side effects with UROXATRAL are dizziness, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, and tiredness.
Please see UROXATRAL full prescribing information.
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