Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2013:2013:764579.
doi: 10.1155/2013/764579. Epub 2013 Dec 12.

Ultrasound prenatal diagnosis of inguinal scrotal hernia and contralateral hydrocele

G Massaro  1 , G Sglavo  1 , A Cavallaro  1 , G Pastore  1 , C Nappi  1 , C Di Carlo  1
Affiliations

Ultrasound prenatal diagnosis of inguinal scrotal hernia and contralateral hydrocele

G Massaro et al. Case Rep Obstet Gynecol. 2013.

Abstract

Fetal inguinal scrotal hernia is a rare condition resulting in an abnormal embryonic process of the tunica vaginalis. We report a case of ultrasound prenatal diagnosis of inguinal scrotal hernia associated with contralateral hydrocele in a woman at 37 weeks of gestation, referred to our clinic for a scrotal mass. Differential diagnosis includes hydrocele, teratoma, hemangiomas, solid tumours of testis, bowel herniation, and testicular torsion. Bowel peristalsis is an important ultrasound sign and it allowed us to make diagnosis of inguinal scrotal hernia. Diagnosis was confirmed at birth and a laparoscopic hernia repair was performed without complications on day 10. During surgery, a bilateral defect of canal inguinal was seen and considered as the cause of scrotal inguinal hernia and contralateral hydrocele observed in utero.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Echogenic scrotal mass (50 × 46 mm) with mixed echostructure and regular walls, containing few small echo-free cystic areas, in the right side.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Hydrocele in the left scrotal side.
Figure 3
Figure 3
A week later: no modification in size of the mass; an increasing number of echo-free cystic areas.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The presence of right inguinal scrotal hernia at birth.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Laparoscopic repair of bilateral defect of the inguinal canal.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Skoog SJ, Conlin MJ. Pediatric hernias and hydroceles: the urologist’s perspective. Urologic Clinics of North America. 1995;22(1):119–130. - PubMed
    1. Shadbolt CL, Heinze SBJ, Dietrich RB. Imaging of groin masses: inguinal anatomy and pathologic conditions revisited. Radiographics. 2001;21:S261–S271. - PubMed
    1. Rowe MI, Copelson LW, Clatworthy HW., Jr. The patent processus vaginalis and the inguinal hernia. Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 1969;4(1):102–107. - PubMed
    1. Ober KJ, Smith CV. Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of a fetal inguinal hernia containing small bowel. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 1991;78(5):905–906. - PubMed
    1. Meizner I, Levy A, Katz M, Simhon T, Glezerman M. Prenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis of fetal scrotal inguinal hernia. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 1992;166(3):907–909. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources