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Current Medical Imaging

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ISSN (Print): 1573-4056
ISSN (Online): 1875-6603

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Review Article

Intratesticular Vascular Architecture Seen by Ultrasound Microvascular Imaging (MicroV). Illustration of the Testis Vascular Anatomy

Author(s): Carmela Visalli*, Ignazio Salamone, Enricomaria Mormina and Michele Gaeta

Volume 20, 2024

Published on: 19 October, 2023

Article ID: e060923220759 Pages: 9

DOI: 10.2174/1573405620666230906092245

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Abstract

The testis is a richly vascularized organ supplied by low-flow thin caliber vessels that are only partially detected by traditional Doppler systems, such as color and power Doppler.

However, in the vascular representation, these techniques determine, albeit to different extents, a cut of the weak vessels due to the necessary application of wall filters that cut the disturbing frequencies responsible for artifacts generated by pulsations of the vascular walls and surrounding tissues.

These filters cut a specific range of disturbing frequencies, regardless of whether they may be generated by low-flow vessels.

Recently, a new technology, called Ultrasound Microvascular Imaging (MicroV) has been developed, which is particularly sensitive to slow flows. This new mode is based on new algorithms capable of better selecting the low frequencies according to the source of origin and cutting only the disturbing ones, saving the frequencies originating from really weak flows.

When Ultrasound microvascular imaging is used, the vascular map is more detailed and composed of macro and microvasculature, with more subdivision branches, facilitating the interpretation of the normal and, consequently, the pathological.

This review aims to describe the vascular architecture of the testis with Ultrasound Microvascular Imaging (MicroV) in healthy testis, compared to traditional color/power Doppler, related to normal anatomy.

Keywords: Healthy testis vascularization, Ultrasound microvascular imaging MicroV, Color power doppler, Testicular artery, Capsulary arteries, Spermatic cord.

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