hydrocele

Hydrocele is a fluid-filled sac surrounding the testicle. This leads to swelling of the scrotum.

Hydrocele is a very common phenomenon in the newborn, but most of them disappear without treatment within the first year of life. In older boys and men can develop a hydrocele due to inflammation or injury to the scrotum.

Hydrocele is usually painless and requires no treatment. However, if nablyudetsya swelling of the scrotum, contact our specialists so that they can rule out other causes.

Symptoms

Usually the only indication of a hydrocele is a painless swelling of one or both testicles. Men with hydrocele may experience discomfort on the severity of swollen scrotum. Sometimes swollen testicle may be less than in the first half of the day and the evening rise.

Consult doctor if you have swelling of the scrotum. Sometimes hydrocele associated with inguinal hernia, in which a weak spot in the abdominal wall allows the bowel loop to get into the scrotum, which requires immediate treatment.

If your child has swelling of the scrotum, contact our specialists. If the physician determines that the cause of swelling is hydrocele, it usually disappears by itself. However, if the hydrocele does not disappear after a year or swelling increases, must be re-consult a doctor.

Causes of hydrocele

In boys hydrocele may develop in the womb. As a rule, the developing baby testicles descend from the abdomen into the scrotum, where it is surrounded by liquid. In most cases each testicle bag is closed and the liquid is absorbed. However, if the liquid remains after the bag is closed, it can not flow back into the abdominal cavity and is generally absorbed throughout a year. In some cases, the bag remains open. Thus bag may change the size or if the scrotum compressed fluid can enter back into the abdominal cavity.

In older men hydrocele may develop as a result of inflammation or injury to the scrotum. Inflammation may be the result of infection of back canal of testicle (epididymitis) or testicle.

Mostly hydrocele presents at birth (congenital hydrocele). Children who were born prematurely there is a higher risk of having a hydrocele.

Risk factors for hydrocele in adult life include: trauma scrotal infection, including sexually transmitted diseases.

Complications

Hydrocele typically is not harmful and generally not affect fertility. Nevertheless, it may be due to the underlying disease of the testes, which can cause serious complications:

Infection or tumor. Decreased production or sperm function.

Inguinal hernia. Bowel loop can get into the abdominal wall (pinch), which leads to life-threatening condition.

You should immediately consult a doctor if you or your child suddenly felt severe pain or swelling of the scrotum, especially within a few hours after the injury of the scrotum. These signs and symptoms may occur when hydrocele, but can also be caused by a condition called testicular torsion. Testicular torsion is an emergency medical condition that occurs when the egg scrolls so that blood flow is blocked. Testicle can only be maintained if the assistance will be provided within a few hours after symptoms started.

Diagnosis of a hydrocele

Physical examination

Ultrasound of the scrotum. This test uses high frequency sound waves to create images of structures inside the body, and help to eliminate hernia, testicular tumors or other causes of scrotal swelling.

If a doctor suspects that a hydrocele caused by inflammation, to determine the presence of infection, such as epididymitis, can help special blood and urine tests.

Treatment of hydrocele

If hydrocele does not disappear after a year or continues to grow in size, a surgical way may be needed.

In men hydrocele often resolves itself within six months. Hydrocele requires treatment only if the size of the swelling increases causing discomfort or damage.

Treatments include:

Surgical excision (hydrocelectomy). Removal of hydrocele can be performed on an outpatient basis using general or spinal anesthesia. The surgeon may make an incision in the scrotum or lower abdomen to remove the hydrocele.

After hydrocelectomy may require drainage tube and bandage at the incision for several days after surgery. Ice packs applied to the scrotum after surgery may help reduce swelling. Surgical risk for such an operation may generally include the formation of blood clots, infection or trauma scrotum. To avoid the risks necessary to the operation was performed by an experienced surgeon.

Sclerotherapy. Another option is to remove the fluid in the scrotum needle. Injection drug after aspiration can help prevent the accumulation of fluid in the scrotum. Injection method can be a good option for men who have risk factors during surgery.