[A woman with a painful swelling in the groin: the cyst of Nuck, a forgotten diagnosis]

Abstract

Background: The cyst of Nuck is a swelling in the inguinal canal caused by a hydrocele of the round ligament. This abnormality is a result of the absence or incomplete obliteration of the processus vaginalis during foetal development.

Case description: A 44-year-old woman had suffered from a painful swelling in her right groin for 4 years. Extensive imaging and multiple punctures of the supposed cyst had no lasting results. Eventually, the swelling was identified as a cyst of Nuck, which was confirmed on operative exploration. After excision, the patient was relieved of all her symptoms.

Conclusion: The cyst of Nuck is a clinical diagnosis. Imaging the swelling may give a misleading result and cause a delay in treatment.