Reproducibility of Shear Wave Elastography in Testicular Stiffness Assessment

20 patients (40 testes) aged from 31 up to 85 years old were examined. Inclusion criteria were as follows: presence of both testes; volume of testes more than 10 ml; absence of trauma, torsion, tumours, and infertility; normal B-mode ultrasound image of the testes. Intra- and interobserver reproducibility of the shear wave elastography was assessed. Young’s modulus (kPa) was measured by using two ultrasound systems - Aixplorer (Supersonic Imagine, France) and Aplio 500 (Toshiba, Japan). Two dimensional shear wave elastography demonstrated high intraobserver reproducibility of the Young’s modulus measured in examination of testes. Intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.95 (0.90-0.97) and 0.92 (0.85-0.97). Two dimensional shear wave elastography showed high interobserver reproducibility of the Young’s modulus measured in examination of testes. Intraclass correlation coefficient was 0. 91 (0.82-0.95). Using Applio 500 scanner 2.5-97.5th percentiles of the Young’s modulus in testes parenchyma (n = 40) were 2.8-9.4 kPa, shear wave velocity - 0.96-1.77 m/s; using the Aixplorer scanner - 1.8-3.9 kPa and 0.77-1.14 m/s, respectively. Young’s modulus received by using different ultrasound scanners in patients of the same group showed significant differences (P < 0.0001). Young’s modulus values did not correlate with testicular volume, age of patients, resistive index and pulsatility index in testicular arteries.

ультразвуковая эластография сдвиговой волной, модуль Юнга, внутри- и межоператорская воспроизводимость, коэффициент внутригрупповой корреляции, яичко, ultrasound shear wave elastography, Young’s modulus, intra- and interobserver reproducibility, intraclass correlation coefficient, testis

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