Spermatic cord hydrocele
Male infant
with a mass in the right groin. Sagittal US of the right inguinal canal and scrotum shows an oval anechoic fluid collection in the inguinal canal that did not communicate with the peritoneum (to the left) and a small amount of anechoic fluid around the right testicle.The diagnosis was an encysted hydrocele of the spermatic cord and a small hydrocele of the right scrotum.
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 recognized subtypes
- encysted hydrocele - fluid collection does not communicate with the peritoneum above or the tunica vaginalis below.
- funicular 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 color Doppler interrogation.
Treatment and prognosis
Elective surgery may be useful in preventing development of an acquired indirect hernia .
Differential diagnosis
It may occasionally be misdiagnosed as an inguinal hernia clinically.
As a very broad differential for masses in the inguinal region - refer to
See also
- hydrocele
- hydrocele of canal of Nuck: females
Siehe auch:
und weiter:
Assoziationen und Differentialdiagnosen zu Spermatic cord hydrocoele (SCH):
