Testicular Scan

Test Overview

A testicular scan uses a special camera to take pictures of the testicles after a radioactive tracer builds up in testicular tissues (nuclear medicine test).

During a testicular scan, the tracer is injected into a vein in your arm. It travels through your blood to the testicles. Parts of the testicles where the tracer builds up in abnormal amounts may be a sign of some types of tumors. The tracer may also show where there is a pocket of fluid (cyst) or infection (abscess).

A scan may be done in an emergency to find out the cause of sudden, painful swelling of a testicle. That problem can be caused by a twisted cord in the testicle. This condition is called testicular torsion. Get medical care and treatment right away if you have this problem.

Testicular ultrasound has largely replaced these scans to look for testicular torsion and tumors.

Why It Is Done

A testicular scan is done to find out the cause of a painful, swollen testicle. The scan is also used to check for damage to the testicles caused by an injury or to look at the flow of blood within the testicles.

How To Prepare

In general, there's nothing you have to do before this test, unless your doctor tells you to.

How It Is Done

You will need to remove any jewelry that might get in the way of the scan. You may need to take off all or most of your clothes. 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 tracer is then injected.

You will lie on your back on a table. Your penis will be taped to your belly to keep it out of the way of the scan. A sling or towel may be used to support the testicles under the scanner. After the tracer is injected, the camera will scan for radiation released by the tracer. The camera produces 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. You are not exposed to any more radiation while the scan is being done.

How long the test takes

The scan takes about 45 minutes.

How It Feels

You may feel nothing at all from the needle puncture when the tracer is injected. Or you may feel a brief sting or pinch as the needle goes through the skin. Otherwise, a testicular scan is usually painless. You may find it hard to stay still during the scan, especially if your testicles are sore. Before the scan, ask for a pillow or blanket to make yourself as comfortable as possible.

Risks

Allergic reactions to the radioactive tracer are rare.

Anytime you're exposed to radiation, there's a small chance of damage to cells or tissue. That's the case even with the low-level radioactive tracer used for this test. But the chance of damage is very low compared with the benefits of the test.

Steps you can take

Most of the tracer will leave your body through your urine or stool within a day. So be sure to flush the toilet right after you use it, and wash your hands well with soap and water. The amount of radiation in the tracer is very small. This means it isn't a risk for people to be around you after the test.

You may get some soreness or swelling at the injection site. This can usually be relieved by putting a warm, moist cloth on your arm.

Results

The results of the scan are usually available within 2 days. In an emergency, results can be ready within 1 hour.