Hydrocele

A hydrocele denotes a pathological accumulation of serous fluid in a bodily cavity.

• A hydrocele testis is the accumulation of fluids around a testicle, and is fairly common. A hydrocele testis is due to fluid secreted from a remnant piece of peritoneum wrapped around the testis, called the tunica vaginalis. It can be the result of cancer, trauma (such as a hernia), or orchitis, and can also occur in infants undergoing peritoneal dialysis. It may be treated surgically. Hydroceles are usually not painful (neither are testicular tumors) and a common way of diagnosing them is by attempting to shine a strong light through the enlarged testicle. A hydrocele will usually pass light, where a tumor will not, but the diagnosis should be made by a physician.

• Another related region (in females) which can have a hydrocele is the canal of Nuck.

• In (mainly) third world countries, a hydrocele can be the result of a plugged inguinal lymphatic system caused by repeated chronic infection of Wuchereria bancrofti or Brugia malayi, two mosquito-borne parasites of Africa and S.E. Asia, respectively. As such the condition would be a part of more diffuse sequelae commonly referred to as elephantiasis, which also affects the lymphatic system in other parts of the body.

It can also be noted as a minor malformation of newborns due to an increased maternal blood lead level during pregnancy.

External links

• Hydrocele Surgery Video
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