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
Review
. 2024 Mar;43(3):599-607.
doi: 10.1002/jum.16380. Epub 2023 Nov 27.

A Review of Classification, Diagnosis, and Management of Hydrocele

Van Trung Hoang  1 , Hoang Anh Thi Van  1 , The Huan Hoang  1 , Thanh Tam Thi Nguyen  2 , Cong Thao Trinh  2
Affiliations
Review

A Review of Classification, Diagnosis, and Management of Hydrocele

Van Trung Hoang et al. J Ultrasound Med. 2024 Mar.

Abstract

This article summarizes and updates a number of issues related to hydrocele including anatomy, embryology, classification, etiology, clinical manifestations, imaging findings, and management. Hydrocele is an abnormal collection of serous fluid between the parietal and visceral layers arising from the mesothelial lining of the tunica vaginalis that surrounds the testis and spermatic cord directly. Hydroceles result from an imbalance of secretion and reabsorption of fluid from the tunica vaginalis. Hydroceles can be divided into two types as primary and secondary. The diagnosis should be based on medical history, clinical manifestations, and imaging studies. Understanding the causes and types of hydroceles is useful for accurately diagnosing and treatment strategy. Hydroceles can be managed by conservative treatment, fluid aspiration, or hydrocelectomy.

Keywords: communicating hydrocele; inguinal hernia; patent processus vaginalis; scrotal swelling; testicular ultrasound.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Chen I, Arora S, Alhayek K, Leavitt D, Dabaja A. Diagnosis and management of testicular compartment syndrome caused by tension hydrocele. Urol Case Rep 2022; 43:102091. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eucr.2022.102091.
    1. Elhaddad A, Awad M, Shehata SM, Shehata MA. Laparoscopic management of infantile hydrocele in pediatric age group. Pediatr Surg Int 2022; 38:581-587. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-022-05064-8.
    1. Cavalie G, Bellier A, Marnas G, et al. Anatomy and histology of the scrotal ligament in adults: inconsistency and variability of the gubernaculum testis. Surg Radiol Anat 2018; 40:365-370. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-017-1904-1.
    1. Keeratibharat N, Chansangrat J. Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck: a review. Cureus 2022; 14:e23757. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.23757.
    1. Bhosale PR, Patnana M, Viswanathan C, Szklaruk J. The inguinal canal: anatomy and imaging features of common and uncommon masses. Radiographics 2008; 28:819-835; quiz 913. https://doi.org/10.1148/rg.283075110.

LinkOut - more resources