Hydrocele
Updates to Article Attributes
Hydroceles are acquired or congenital serous fluid collections between the layers of the tunica vaginalis surrounding a testis or spermatic cord. They are the most common form of "testicular" enlargement and present with painless scrotal enlargement of the scrotumOn all modalities, hydrocelesHydroceles appear as simple fluid, unless complicated by infection or haemorrhage on all modalities.
Epidemiology
Hydroceles can be diagnosed at any age, with congenital hydrocelehydroceles being more common in children.
Clinical presentation
Most hydroceles are acquired and present with progressing painless scrotal mass. During the physical examination, hydrocele characteristically transilluminates when evaluated with a light source. They can become painful if infected (see pyocele).
Pathology
Aetiology
Congenital
There are two main subtypes of congenital hydrocele:
In the communicating type, fluid collects around a patent processus vaginalis which failed to successfully obliterate.
The spermatic cord hydrocele is further subdivided into:
encysted type (spermatic cord cyst): no communication with the peritoneum or tunica vaginalis
-
funicular type (funiculocele)
communicates with the peritoneum at the internal ring and does not surround the testis
more common in children and premature infants 2
Acquired
Radiographic features
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is the first modality usually used to evaluate hydrocele, which presents as a simple fluid collection. It is avascular on Doppler evaluation. It may contain septations, calcifications or cholesterol 2.
Communicating, infantile and vaginal hydroceles will be seen intimately surrounding the adjacent testis. In contrast, spermatic cord hydroceles such as funicular hydrocele (funiculocele) and encysted hydrocele will not surround the testis, rather being found along the spermatic cord.
Hydroceles can also appear larger with straining (Valsalva manoeuvre) 2. They may contain fibrous adhesions, giving a beaded appearance to the spermatic cord (pachyvaginalitis) 3.
MRI
On MRI, signal characteristics of the hydroceles are
T1: low signal
T2: high signal
This represents the serous fluid of an uncomplicated hydrocele.
Treatment and prognosis
In infants, most hydroceles (around 90%) resolve spontaneously, and they are thought to result from incomplete obliteration of the processus vaginalis 4. It is important to assess for any associated herniations in these patients.
Differential diagnosis
Imaging differential considerations include
Rarely, a scrotal tunica cyst or scrotal mesothelioma can look like a hydrocele, but they are usually easily distinguishable.
See also
-<p><strong>Hydroceles</strong> are acquired or congenital serous fluid collections between the layers of the <a href="/articles/tunica-vaginalis-testis">tunica vaginalis</a> surrounding a testis or <a href="/articles/spermatic-cord">spermatic cord</a>. They are the most common form of "testicular" enlargement and present with painless enlargement of the <a href="/articles/scrotum">scrotum</a>. On all modalities, hydroceles appear as simple fluid, unless complicated by infection or haemorrhage.</p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>Hydroceles can be diagnosed at any age, with congenital hydrocele being more common in children.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Most hydroceles are acquired and present with progressing painless <a href="/articles/extratesticular-scrotal-mass-differential">scrotal mass</a>. During the physical examination, hydrocele characteristically transilluminates when evaluated with a light source. They can become painful if infected (see <a href="/articles/scrotal-pyocele-1">pyocele</a>).</p><h4>Pathology</h4><h5>Aetiology</h5><h6>Congenital</h6><p>There are two main subtypes of congenital hydrocele:</p><ul>-<li><a title="communicating hydrocele" href="/articles/communicating-hydrocele">communicating hydrocele</a></li>-<li>-<a title="spermatic cord hydrocele" href="/articles/spermatic-cord-hydrocele">spermatic cord hydrocele</a> <sup>1,2</sup>-</li>- +<p><strong>Hydroceles</strong> are acquired or congenital serous fluid collections between the layers of the <a href="/articles/tunica-vaginalis-testis">tunica vaginalis</a> surrounding a testis or <a href="/articles/spermatic-cord">spermatic cord</a>. They are the most common form of "testicular" enlargement and present with painless scrotal enlargement. Hydroceles appear as simple fluid unless complicated by infection or haemorrhage on all modalities.</p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>Hydroceles can be diagnosed at any age, with congenital hydroceles being more common in children.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Most hydroceles are acquired and present with progressing painless <a href="/articles/extratesticular-scrotal-mass-differential">scrotal mass</a>. During the physical examination, hydrocele characteristically transilluminates when evaluated with a light source. They can become painful if infected (see <a href="/articles/scrotal-pyocele-1">pyocele</a>).</p><h4>Pathology</h4><h5>Aetiology</h5><h6>Congenital</h6><p>There are two main subtypes of congenital hydrocele:</p><ul>
- +<li><p><a href="/articles/communicating-hydrocele" title="communicating hydrocele">communicating hydrocele</a></p></li>
- +<li><p><a href="/articles/spermatic-cord-hydrocele" title="spermatic cord hydrocele">spermatic cord hydrocele</a> <sup>1,2</sup></p></li>
-<li>encysted type (spermatic cord cyst): no communication with the peritoneum or <a href="/articles/tunica-vaginalis-testis">tunica vaginalis</a>-</li>-<li>funicular type (funiculocele)<ul>-<li>communicates with the peritoneum at the internal ring and does not surround the testis</li>-<li>more common in children and premature infants <sup>2</sup>-</li>- +<li><p>encysted type (spermatic cord cyst): no communication with the peritoneum or <a href="/articles/tunica-vaginalis-testis">tunica vaginalis</a></p></li>
- +<li>
- +<p>funicular type (funiculocele)</p>
- +<ul>
- +<li><p>communicates with the peritoneum at the internal ring and does not surround the testis</p></li>
- +<li><p>more common in children and premature infants <sup>2</sup></p></li>
-<li><a href="/articles/testicular-trauma">trauma</a></li>-<li><a href="/articles/epididymitis">epididymitis</a></li>-<li><a href="/articles/testicular-torsion">testicular torsion</a></li>-<li><a href="/articles/testicular-cancer">testicular neoplasm</a></li>-<li>-<a href="/articles/segmental-testicular-infarction">testicular infarction</a> <sup>6</sup>-</li>-</ul><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Ultrasound</h5><p>Ultrasound is the first modality usually used to evaluate hydrocele, which presents as a simple fluid collection. It is avascular on Doppler evaluation. It may contain septations, calcifications or cholesterol <sup>2</sup>.</p><p>Communicating, infantile and vaginal hydroceles will be seen intimately surrounding the adjacent testis. In contrast, spermatic cord hydroceles such as funicular hydrocele (<a href="/articles/funiculocele">funiculocele</a>) and encysted hydrocele will <em>not</em> surround the testis, rather being found along the spermatic cord.</p><p>Hydroceles can also appear larger with straining (<a href="/articles/valsalva-manoeuvre">Valsalva manoeuvre</a>) <sup>2</sup>. They may contain fibrous adhesions, giving a beaded appearance to the spermatic cord (pachyvaginalitis) <sup>3.</sup></p><h5>MRI</h5><p>On MRI, signal characteristics of the hydroceles are</p><ul>-<li>-<strong>T1:</strong> low signal</li>-<li>-<strong>T2:</strong> high signal</li>- +<li><p><a href="/articles/testicular-trauma">trauma</a></p></li>
- +<li><p><a href="/articles/epididymitis">epididymitis</a></p></li>
- +<li><p><a href="/articles/testicular-torsion">testicular torsion</a></p></li>
- +<li><p><a href="/articles/testicular-cancer">testicular neoplasm</a></p></li>
- +<li><p><a href="/articles/segmental-testicular-infarction">testicular infarction</a> <sup>6</sup></p></li>
- +</ul><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Ultrasound</h5><p>Ultrasound is the first modality usually used to evaluate hydrocele, which presents as a simple fluid collection. It is avascular on Doppler evaluation. It may contain septations, calcifications or cholesterol <sup>2</sup>.</p><p>Communicating, infantile and vaginal hydroceles will be seen intimately surrounding the adjacent testis. In contrast, spermatic cord hydroceles such as funicular hydrocele (<a href="/articles/funiculocele">funiculocele</a>) and encysted hydrocele will <em>not</em> surround the testis, rather being found along the spermatic cord.</p><p>Hydroceles can also appear larger with straining (<a href="/articles/valsalva-manoeuvre">Valsalva manoeuvre</a>) <sup>2</sup>. They may contain fibrous adhesions, giving a beaded appearance to the spermatic cord (pachyvaginalitis) <sup>3</sup>.</p><h5>MRI</h5><p>On MRI, signal characteristics of the hydroceles are</p><ul>
- +<li><p><strong>T1</strong>: low signal</p></li>
- +<li><p><strong>T2</strong>: high signal</p></li>
-<li><a href="/articles/epididymal-cyst">epididymal cyst</a></li>-<li><a href="/articles/spermatocele-1">spermatocele</a></li>-<li><a href="/articles/scrotal-pyocele-1">pyocele</a></li>-<li><a href="/articles/hematocele">haematocele</a></li>-<li><a href="/articles/abdominal-hernia">inguinoscrotal hernia</a></li>-<li><a href="/articles/scrotal-cystocele-2">scrotal cystocele</a></li>- +<li><p><a href="/articles/epididymal-cyst">epididymal cyst</a></p></li>
- +<li><p><a href="/articles/spermatocele-1">spermatocele</a></p></li>
- +<li><p><a href="/articles/scrotal-pyocele-1">pyocele</a></p></li>
- +<li><p><a href="/articles/hematocele">haematocele</a></p></li>
- +<li><p><a href="/articles/abdominal-hernia">inguinoscrotal hernia</a></p></li>
- +<li><p><a href="/articles/scrotal-cystocele-2">scrotal cystocele</a></p></li>
-<li><a href="/articles/hydrocele-of-the-canal-of-nuck">hydrocele of the canal of Nuck</a></li>-<li><a href="/articles/spermatic-cord-hydrocele">spermatic cord hydrocele</a></li>- +<li><p><a href="/articles/hydrocele-of-the-canal-of-nuck">hydrocele of the canal of Nuck</a></p></li>
- +<li><p><a href="/articles/spermatic-cord-hydrocele">spermatic cord hydrocele</a></p></li>
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