Whirlpool sign (testicular torsion)

Last revised by Maulik S Patel on 14 Apr 2024

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Glick Y, Patel M, Amer M, et al. Whirlpool sign (testicular torsion). Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 25 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-73314

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-73314

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/73314?iframe=true

rID:

73314

Article created:

6 Jan 2020, Yaïr Glick ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Yaïr Glick had no recorded disclosures.

View Yaïr Glick's current disclosures

Last revised:

14 Apr 2024, Maulik S Patel

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Maulik S Patel had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.

View Maulik S Patel's current disclosures

Revisions:

11 times, by 7 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Urogenital

Sections:

Signs

The whirlpool sign of the spermatic cord is a direct sign of testicular torsion, both complete and incomplete (i.e. <360°). It is considered to be the most specific and sensitive sign for testicular torsion.

Terminology

The term whirlpool sign is used in other contexts: see whirlpool sign (disambiguation).

Radiographic features

A spiral twist demonstrated in the course of the spermatic cord on greyscale ultrasound, either in the external inguinal ring or in the scrotal sac.

See references 1 and 5 for demonstrative videos.

References

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