Hydrocele

Hydrocele

Hydrocele is the collection of fluid between the 2 tunic petals of the testicle, which is progressive and usually painless and, over time, results in downward displacement of the testis and epididymis.

It is distinguished into the following types:

1. Communicating hydrocele: there is free communication between tunic and peritoneal cavity and usually occurs in children with inguinal coexisting hernia.
2.  Adults’ type
3.  Neonatal hydrocele: occurs immediately after birth and coexists with other illnesses.

Causes

There are cases where no specific cause (idiopathic hydrocele) is found and others where the presence of fluid accompanies any disease of the testis and / or the epididymis (secondary hydrocele).

In this case we must not forget that the hydrocele may occur in cancer of the testis, which should be investigated in detail.

Clinical image

Men with hydrocele usually have gained weight in the scrotum or observe progressive painless swelling.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is initially by palpation and clinical examination and confirmed by ultrasound scrotum.

Today, the use of ultrasound is not necessary transillumination, a method had wide application in the past.

Treatment

Puncturing is a temporary solution since the liquid will grow again within a short time. The only appropriate treatment is surgical repair, which is flip and fold the particular tunic. Neonatal hydrocele requires no treatment until the age of one year after it is proven that in half the cases will come back.