A hydrocele is a collection of watery fluid around the testicle. This is a common problem in newborn males and usually goes away within the first year of life. When the testicle drops into the scrotum (about the eighth month of pregnancy), a sac (the processus vaginalis) from the abdominal cavity travels along with the testicle. Fluid can then flow to the scrotum to surround the testicle. This sac usually closes and the fluid is absorbed. When the sac closes and the fluid remains, this is called a noncommunicating hydrocele. This means that the scrotal sac can be compressed and the fluid will not flow back into the abdomen. This type of hydrocele is often found in newborns and the fluid will usually be absorbed with time. If the scrotal sac is compressed and the fluid slowly goes back up into the abdomen or if the hydrocele changes size, this is called a communicating hydrocele. This type of hydrocele usually appears smaller in the morning when the child wakes up and larger in the evening after activity. A communicating hydrocele shows that the sac or processus vaginalis is still open. Alternatively, hydroceles can be divided into t hose that represent a persistent comm unication with the abdominal cavity and those that do not. Fluid excesses are from exogenous sources (the abdomen) in communicating hydroceles, whereas noncommunicating hydroceles develop increased scrotal fluid from abnormal intrinsic scrotal fluid shifts. Communicating hydroceles With communicating hydroceles, simple Valsalva probably accounts for the classic variation in size during day-sleep cycles. Nonetheless, with the incidence of patent processus so great, why children with clinically apparent hydroceles are relatively few remains somewhat inexplicable. Chronically increased intra-abdominal pressure (eg, as in chronic lung disease) or increased abdominal fluid production (eg, children with ventriculoperitoneal shunts) probably warrants early surgical intervention. Noncommunicating hydroceles In noncommunicating hydroceles, the pathophysiology may occur as a result of increased fluid production or as a consequence of impaired absorption. A sudden onset of scrotal hydrocele in older children has been noted after viral illnesses. In such cases, viral-mediated serositis may account for the net increased fluid production. Posttraumatic hydroceles likely occur secondary to increased serosal fluid production due to underlying inflammation. Although rare in the United States, filarial infestations are a classic cause of the decreased lymphatic fluid absorption resulting in hydroceles. During fetal development, an extension of the peritoneum migrates distally through the inguinal canal with the gubernaculum in the first trimester. Normally, this thin membrane that extends through the inguinal canal and descends into the scrotum (processus vaginalis) is obliterated proximally at the internal inguinal ring, and the distal portion forms the tunica vaginalis.[3] [6]
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A Hydrocele is a Collection of Watery Fluid Around the Testicle
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7/27/2019 A Hydrocele is a Collection of Watery Fluid Around the Testicle
A hydrocele is a collection of watery fluid around the testicle. This is a common problem in newborn
males and usually goes away within the first year of life. When the testicle drops into the scrotum (about
the eighth month of pregnancy), a sac (the processus vaginalis) from the abdominal cavity travels along
with the testicle. Fluid can then flow to the scrotum to surround the testicle. This sac usually closes and
the fluid is absorbed. When the sac closes and the fluid remains, this is called a noncommunicating
hydrocele. This means that the scrotal sac can be compressed and the fluid will not flow back into the
abdomen. This type of hydrocele is often found in newborns and the fluid will usually be absorbed withtime. If the scrotal sac is compressed and the fluid slowly goes back up into the abdomen or if the
hydrocele changes size, this is called a communicating hydrocele. This type of hydrocele usually appears
smaller in the morning when the child wakes up and larger in the evening after activity. A communicating
hydrocele shows that the sac or processus vaginalis is still open.
Alternatively, hydroceles can be divided into those that represent a persistent communication with theabdominal cavity and those that do not. Fluid excesses are from exogenous sources (the abdomen) incommunicating hydroceles, whereas noncommunicating hydroceles develop increased scrotal fluid fromabnormal intrinsic scrotal fluid shifts.
Communicating hydrocelesWith communicating hydroceles, simple Valsalva probably accounts for the classic variation in size duringday-sleep cycles. Nonetheless, with the incidence of patent processus so great, why children withclinically apparent hydroceles are relatively few remains somewhat inexplicable. Chronically increasedintra-abdominal pressure (eg, as in chronic lung disease) or increased abdominal fluid production (eg,children with ventriculoperitoneal shunts) probably warrants early surgical intervention.
Noncommunicating hydroceles
In noncommunicating hydroceles, the pathophysiology may occur as a result of increased fluid productionor as a consequence of impaired absorption. A sudden onset of scrotal hydrocele in older children hasbeen noted after viral illnesses. In such cases, viral-mediated serositis may account for the net increasedfluid production. Posttraumatic hydroceles likely occur secondary to increased serosal fluid productiondue to underlying inflammation. Although rare in the United States, filarial infestations are a classic causeof the decreased lymphatic fluid absorption resulting in hydroceles.
During fetal development, an extension of the peritoneum migratesdistally through the inguinal canal with the gubernaculum in the firsttrimester. Normally, this thin membrane that extends through the inguinalcanal and descends into the scrotum (processus vaginalis) is obliteratedproximally at the internal inguinal ring, and the distal portion forms thetunica vaginalis. [3] [6]
anatomyCreated by the BMJ GroupIn the majority of cases, the processusvaginalis closes within the first year of life. [5] [6] [7] [8]If it is notobliterated at the internal ring, it is referred to as a patent processusvaginalis, and the tunica vaginalis communicates with the peritoneum, sothat peritoneal fluid flows freely between both structures and acommunicating hydrocele forms.
hydroceleCreated by the BMJ GroupIf the communication is large enough,intra-abdominal structures, such as intestine, omentum, bladder, orgenital contents, may be found in the inguinal canal, and this
complication is known as an indirect inguinal hernia. [2] [3] While the processus vaginalis forms in both sexes in the first trimester, itdoes not enlarge in females. Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck is rare andresults from the failure of the processus vaginalis to close, which causesfluid to accumulate within the inguinal canal.
A non-communicating or simple hydrocele occurs in cases where theprocessus vaginalis is obliterated and secretion exceeds absorption offluid from the tunica vaginalis.
communicating hydroceleCreated by the BMJ Group An abdominoscrotalhydrocele is a simple hydrocele that enlarges through the inguinal canalresulting in an abdominal component. A hydrocele of the spermatic cord
is the result of segmental closure of the processus vaginalis. It isloculated and usually does not communicate with the peritonealcavity. [2]
Common causes:
In infants, usually due to the following:o Incomplete closure of the processus vaginalis from the peritoneum
o Residual peritoneal fluid that has yet to be reabsorbed after processus closure (a patent processusvaginalis accompanies the testis during normal descent and normally fuses spontaneously after the testisreaches the scrotum; incomplete obliteration of the patent processus vaginalis can result in simplehydrocele, hydrocele of the cord, communicating hydrocele through a narrow patent processus vaginalis,or a widely patent processus with complete inguinal hernia)
In older boys and men may be idiopathic but usually due to abnormal absorption or secretion secondaryto another pathologic process such as:o Traumao Ischemiao Infection (sexually transmitted or other)o Testicular tumor o Increased intra-abdominal pressure
Rare causes:
Infants may sometimes present with hydrocele secondary to intrascrotal or intra-abdominal pathology
Infant girls may have a hydrocele of the canal of Nuck or meconium hydrocele of the labia
Filariasis may produce hydrocele in infected boys and men
Hydrocele may be seen following ipsilateral renal transplantation
Serious causes:
Hydrocele may be secondary to testicular torsion or incarcerated/strangulated hernia
Hydrocele may be secondary to testicular cancerRisk factors
Premature and low-birth-weight infants
Indirect inguinal hernia
Primary testicular/intrascrotal pathology
Trauma
Surgery
Increased intra-abdominal pressure
Lymphatic obstruction
Ventriculoperitoneal shunt
Peritoneal dialysis
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Bladder exstrophy
Screening
Summary approach
Screening for hydrocele in the general population is not indicated, as early detection will not significantlychange outcome or management in the majority of cases
Infants with congenital communicating hydrocele (ie, with associated indirect inguinal hernia) may benefitfrom exploration of the contralateral side to assess need for bilateral hernia sac ligation, but this is
controversial and usually reserved for infants at high risk such as premature infants and those withincreased abdominal pressure
Screening modalities
Surgical explorat ion
If contralateral patent processus vaginalis is found, can electively repair at the same time
Controversial, as it exposes patient to longer surgical time and increases risks of surgical complications