Spermatic cord hydrocele
Disclosures
- updated 10 May 2022:
Nothing to disclose
Updates to Article Attributes
Body
was changed:
A spermatic cord hydrocele refers to a loculated fluid collection along the spermatic cord. It is separated from, and located above, the testis and the epididymis.
Pathology
It results from aberrant closure of the processus vaginalis.
There are two recognised subtypes
- encysted spermatic cord hydrocele - fluid collection does not communicate with the peritoneum above or the tunica vaginalis below.
- funicular spermatic cord hydrocele - fluid collection communicates with the peritoneum at the internal inguinal ring but does not communicate with the tunica vaginalis
Radiographic features
Ultrasound
Usually seen as an oval anechoic mass in the groin along the spermatic cord, positioned above and separated from the testis and the epididymis. Typically well demarcated. Avascular on colour Doppler interrogation.
Treatment and prognosis
Elective surgery may be useful in preventing development of an acquired indirect hernia 3.
Differential diagnosis
It may occasionally be misdiagnosed as an inguinal hernia clinically 7.
As a very broad differential for masses in the inguinal region - refer to
See also
- hydrocele
- hydrocele of canal of Nuck: occurs in females
-<li>encysted hydrocele - fluid collection does not communicate with the peritoneum above or the <a href="/articles/tunica-vaginalis-testis">tunica vaginalis</a> below.</li>-<li>funicular hydrocele - fluid collection communicates with the peritoneum at the internal inguinal ring but does not communicate with the tunica vaginalis</li>- +<li>
- +<a title="encysted spermatic cord hydrocele" href="/articles/encysted-spermatic-cord-hydrocele">encysted spermatic cord hydrocele</a> - fluid collection does not communicate with the peritoneum above or the <a href="/articles/tunica-vaginalis-testis">tunica vaginalis</a> below.</li>
- +<li>
- +<a title="funicular spermatic cord hydrocele" href="/articles/funicular-spermatic-cord-hydrocele">funicular spermatic cord hydrocele</a> - fluid collection communicates with the peritoneum at the internal inguinal ring but does not communicate with the tunica vaginalis</li>
References changed:
- 10. Sugianto K, Vijay Pramod S, Siregar S, Hernowo B. Encysted Spermatic Cord Hydroceles in 3-Year Old Boy, Case Report. Urology Case Reports. 2021;38:101652. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eucr.2021.101652">doi:10.1016/j.eucr.2021.101652</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33868940">Pubmed</a>
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