Abstract
Article: Sonographic and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Characteristics Associated With Splenogonadal Fusion
Authors: Kaitlyn Foellings, BS, RDMS, RVT, Sara Baker, MEd, RDMS, RVT, RT(R), and Dana Walker, BS, RDMS, RVT
Category: Abdominal Sonography (Small Parts)
Credit: 1.0 SDMS CME Credit
Objectives: After studying the article entitled “Sonographic and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Characteristics Associated With Splenogonadal Fusion,” you will be able to:
Describe the embryologic development of splenogonadal fusion
Describe the sonographic characteristics of splenogonadal fusion
Correlate sonographic findings with magnetic resonance images of splenogonadal fusion
The congenital anomaly splenogonadal fusion occurs as a result of The fusion of the right and left testicles Immature splenic tissue descending to the left inguinal region Adherence of immature splenic tissue to a developing gonad An undescended left testis adhering to the inferior spleen
Following splenogonadal fusion, during embryonic development, splenic tissue is then pulled Cranially by the diaphragm Caudally by the descending gonad Posteriorly by the descending gonad Anteriorly to account for space for the gonad that does not descend
In the case presented, based on the patient’s clinical symptoms, the differential diagnosis included all except
Testicular malignancy Mononucleosis Strep throat Viral infection
Following sonography, the patient’s differential diagnosis included all of the following except
Polyorchidism Bilobed testis Epididymis Spermatocele
Sonographic characteristics of splenogonadal fusion seen when imaging the scrotal area are Hyperechoic, homogeneous tissue Hyperechoic, avascular tissue Hypoechoic, heterogeneous, avascular tissue Similar echotexture and vascularity as adjacent normal testis
The most common clinical presentation of splenogonadal fusion is Bowel obstruction Left inguinal hernia or palpable left scrotal mass Painful scrotal swelling related to exercise Mononucleosis
Most cases of splenogonadal fusion are confirmed by Sonography Computed tomography Magnetic resonance imaging Surgery
A variety of congenital anomalies have been reported associated with Continuous splenogonadal fusion (SGF) but not discontinuous SGF Discontinuous SGF but not continuous SGF Both continuous and discontinuous SGF Neither continuous nor discontinuous SGF
Splenogonadal fusion occurs embryologically during gestation at approximately the Third to fifth weeks Fifth to eighth weeks Eighth to tenth weeks Tenth to twelfth weeks
Occurrence of splenogonadal fusion is More common for the continuous type More common for the discontinuous type Approximately equally common for the continuous and discontinuous types Rarely associated with any congenital anomalies
Footnotes