Hydrocele Treatment

Hidrocele-LOW-scaled

Hydrocele Treatment

Hydrocele refers to swelling of the scrotum in men due to fluid filling it. Even though it is not a serious health issue, it can cause embarrassment and discomfort. It is more common for male infants to have hydroceles than for adult males, and there are treatments available to solve the problem.

Hydrocele : how common is it ?

A hydrocele affects about 10% of newborn male infants and usually goes away without treatment within a year. Adult men rarely develop hydroceles, and they often disappear on their own.

Who is at risk of developing a hydrocele ?

Adolescent and adult men can also suffer from the condition, although it is much more common in baby boys.

How does a hydrocele develop ?

Although hydroceles can occur at any age, they are more common in newborns. An underlying injury or even inflammation can also cause them to develop, even when there are no underlying causes. In most cases, hydroceles are just an inconvenience – but they do not last long.

Among infants

As a child\’s pregnancy progresses, the testicles descend from the abdomen into the scrotum. Upon descent, the testicles are held in the scrotum, which is a sac of skin.

There is a naturally occurring sac that contains fluid around each testicle during development. After the baby\’s first year, the sac naturally closes and the fluid inside is absorbed by the body. Babies with hydrocele, however, do not experience this. Prematurely born babies are at a higher risk of developing hydrocele.

Among adults

It is also possible for men over 40 years of age to develop hydroceles later on in life. Hernias can cause them, but they are less common. Generally, it is either inflammation or an inability to reabsorb fluid from the tunica vaginalis. Dysfunction with the epithelial cells in the sac can lead to excess fluid production and reabsorption.

It is also possible to develop hydroceles due to inflammation or injury in the scrotum or along the channel. A condition such as epididymitis or an infection can cause inflammation.

Which types of hydrocele are there ?

The types of Hydrocele are as follows :

  •   Communicating hydrocele : A type of hydrocele in which fluids in the abdominal cavity are in contact (communicating). A communicating hydrocele results from a failure of the processus vaginalis (the thin membrane that extends through the inguinal canal and into the scrotum). Both a hernia and a hydrocele can develop if this membrane remains open. There will be swelling or enlargement of the child\’s scrotum, which may change in size throughout the day.
  •   Non-communicating hydrocele :The non-communicating hydrocele is one in which the inguinal canal has closed but there is still extra fluid around the testicle in the scrotum. A condition like this may be present at birth or develop years later for no apparent reason. The size of a noncommunicating hydrocele usually remains the same or grows very slowly.
  •   Nuck’s hydroceles : are a rare type of swelling of the lymph nodes in the groin, which can occur in people without testicles. They can occur in the lining of the pelvic wall. It is difficult to diagnose and treat this condition because it can be mistaken for ovarian cysts, endometriosis, and a host of other conditions.

What is the process of diagnosing a hydrocele?

Dr. Khilchand Bhangale at Alpha One Hospital can diagnose a hydrocele in a child or adult through a combination of tests and observations, including :

  •   Physical exam : This may include watching how the bulge in the groin area changes when the patient coughs or shining a light through the scrotum to check for any fluid collection..
  •  The use of an imaging test, such as an ultrasound.

What complications can a Hydrocele cause ?

In most cases, hydrocele is not dangerous and does not affect fertility. Nonetheless, a hydrocele might be associated with an underlying testicular condition that can lead to complications, such as :

  •   Infection or tumor : The production or function of sperm may be reduced by either of these factors.
  •  Inguinal hernia : Life-threatening complications can occur when the loop of the intestine becomes trapped in the abdominal wall