Is hydrocele serious?

Hydrocele is certainly a more serious problem, so even in infancy, once similar symptoms are found, effective treatment methods and measures must be taken in a timely manner. Sometimes it can also cause urination problems or sexual dysfunction.

1. When the testis descends from the retroperitoneal space, the processus vaginalis composed of two layers of peritoneum also enters the scrotum through the inguinal canal. Under normal circumstances, before and after the birth of the fetus, the upper 2/3 of the processus vaginalis is completely closed, and the processus vaginalis of the testis forms a blind bag that surrounds the testis, which is called the testicular tunica vaginalis. A small amount of fluid accumulates in the testicular tunica vaginalis, which can act as a lubricant for testicular activity. If the amount of fluid in the congenital tunica vaginalis sac increases abnormally or the processus vaginalis closure is abnormal, causing the accumulation of fluid in the sac, hydrocele will form. In addition, when the processus vaginalis closure is normal, due to acquired factors such as testicular and epididymal infection, tumor, filariasis or trauma, the amount of fluid in the tunica vaginalis increases, and hydrocele may also occur.

2. Hydrocele is a common disease in men. The testicles descend from the abdominal cavity into the scrotum during the 8th to 9th month of gestational age. When the testicles descend into the scrotum, the passage from the abdominal cavity to the scrotum will be closed. If it is not closed, it is also called chordae vaginalis insufficiency in medicine. As a result, the peritoneal fluid flows to the scrotum when the abdominal pressure increases, forming a congenital communicating hydrocele. If it is in the spermatic cord, it will be closed at both ends of the abdominal cavity and the testicle, forming a congenital spermatic cord hydrocele. Testicular hydrocele can also be caused by infection of the testicles and epididymis, trauma, tumors, and filariasis infection.

3. Symptoms

1. A small amount of effusion may cause no symptoms. If the effusion is large, there may be discomfort caused by scrotal prolapse, or urination and sexual dysfunction.

2. If it is a communicating hydrocele, the size of the mass may change with changes in body position.

3. For cystic masses in the scrotum, the transillumination test is (+). If the tunica vaginalis is thickened, the transillumination test is (-).

4. Spermatic hydrocele is generally small in size and located above the testicles.

5. Hydrocele of the testicle. If there is a lot of fluid accumulation, the testicles are often not palpable.

6. Communicating hydrocele: the size of the cyst may change with changes in body position.