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Detailed information of HYDROCELE
HYDROCELE
DEFINITION:
A disorder characterized by the presence of peritoneal fluid
within the scrotum resulting in an enlarged scrotum.
EPIDEMIOLOGY:
- incidence: 6/100 full-term males
- age of onset:
- risk factors:
PATHOGENESIS:
- the processus vaginalis represents a peritoneal diverticulum
in the embryonic lower anterior abdominal wall that transverses
the inguinal canal during the 7th month of gestation carrying
with it the testis which descends through the inguinal canal and
into the scrotum
- normally the processus vaginalis closes off at the internal
ring with the tunica vaginalis remaining as the remnant of the
processus vaginalis surrounding the testis in the scrotum -
failure of obliteration of the processus vaginalis at the
internal ring results in either a congenital inguinal hernia or
communicating hydrocele
- a communicating hydrocele represents a small hernia which
allows peritoneal fluid to flow between the peritoneal cavity
and scrotum via the inguinal canal
CLINICAL FEATURES:
- transilluminates brightly
- varies in size with increasing size during the day and
decreasing size at night due to the return of the scrotal
fluid into the abdominal cavity while the patient is recumbent
- painless
INVESTIGATIONS:
- not necessary for diagnosis
MANAGEMENT:
- in a majority of cases, the processus vaginalis eventually
obliterates at the internal ring and the scrotal fluid is
resorbed with resolution of the hydrocele by 1 year of age
2. Surgery
- electively repaired if hydrocele persists after 1 year of
age
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Pediatric Database - HYDROCELE
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