Effects of acetylsalicylic acid and ultrasound elastography on testicular torsion in rats

Authors: EZGİ GÜN SOYTÜRK, ÜNAL BIÇAKCI, SERDAR ASLAN, TOLGA GÜVENÇ, MELTEM NECİBE CEYHAN BİLGİCİ

Abstract: Background/aim: To investigate the effects of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and the use of ultrasound elastography on testicular torsion. Materials and methods: Herein, 6 equal groups of rats were formed (n: 48): control group, sham group, torsion/detorsion (T/D)-1 h group, T/D-1 h + ASA group, T/D-8 h group, and T/D-8 h + ASA group. Testicular torsion was created by rotating the left testis 720° clockwise. At 30 min before torsion, 100 mg/kg of ASA was injected intraperitoneally. Elastography was performed at 8 and 24 h. After orchiectomy, specimens were collected for histopathological evaluation. Results: When comparing the left testicular volume (LV) parameters obtained from the elastography applied at 8 h, significant differences were observed between the following group pairs: the sham and T/D-8 h groups, T/D-1 h and T/D-8 h groups, and T/D-1 h + ASA and T/D-8 h groups (p = 0.004, p = 0.023, and p = 0.026, respectively). The mean LVS (velocity) (stiffness assessment) of the groups was similar at 8 h. When comparing the LV parameters at 24 h, significant differences were found between the T/D-1 h and T/D-8 h groups and between the T/D-8 h and T/D-8 h + ASA groups (p = 0.008 and p = 0.004, respectively). For the LVS mean values at 24 h, significant differences were found between the control and sham groups, sham and T/D-1 h groups, sham and T/D-8 h groups, and sham and T/D- 8 h + ASA groups (p = 0.009, p = 0.021, p = 0.027, and p = 0.009, respectively). Histopathological evaluation showed a decrease in the morphological grades and an increase in the mean testicular injury scores in the T/D-1 h + ASA group compared to the T/D-1 h group. The T/D-8 h + ASA group had a higher morphological grade than the T/D-8 h group, whereas their mean testicular injury scores were similar. Conclusion: ASA treatment for testicular torsion was shown to be ineffective. Elastography can be a complementary method to Doppler ultrasonography in the diagnosis of testicular torsion and can guide surgeons in their approach to surgery.

Keywords: Testicular torsion, elastography, acetylsalicylic acid

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