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Case Reports
. 2017 May 27:2017:bcr2017220370.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2017-220370.

Abdominoscrotal hydrocele in an infant boy

Eliana Costantino  1 , George S Ganesan  1 , J Chadwick Plaire  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Abdominoscrotal hydrocele in an infant boy

Eliana Costantino et al. BMJ Case Rep. .

Abstract

Abdominoscrotal hydrocele (ASH) is the rarest type of hydrocele. This condition is characterised by a large abdominal and scrotal component connected by an isthmus within the inguinal canal. The incidence among the paediatric population is reported to be less than 3%, although it might be underdiagnosed. Several theories have been proposed in the literature but the aetiology of ASH remains unknown. Diagnosis can be made clinically and confirmed by ultrasound. Spontaneous resolution is rare and long-standing ASH may lead to complications, thus early surgical intervention is recommended. Different techniques have been described, but dissection remains challenging due to the tunica vaginalis adherence to the testis and the distal cord. We present a male infant with ASH who underwent inguinal repair. The procedure was facilitated by needle decompression of the mass. Identification and preservation of the vessels and vas deferens was done successfully without compromising the testis.

Keywords: general practice / family medicine; paediatric surgery; paediatrics; urology.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Intraoperative fluid decompression of the mass.
Figure 2
Figure 2
(A–E) Classification of the various types of hydrocele. E, epididymis; ER, external inguinal ring; IR, internal inguinal ring; OPV, obliterated processus vaginalis; P, peritoneum; PPV, patent processus vaginalis; PTV, parietal tunica vaginalis; T, testis; VTV, visceral tunica vaginalis.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Ultrasound showing abdominal (A) and scrotal (S) components of the abdominoscrotal hydrocele communicating through the isthmus (I).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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