Hydrocele

A hydrocele is a swelling in the scrotum, the sac that holds the testicles. It happens when fluid builds up in the thin covering around a testicle. This is fairly common in babies. In most cases, the swelling disappears on its own by the time the baby is a year old. However, older children and adults can also develop a hydrocele. This might be due to an injury to the scrotum or other health issues.

Usually, a hydrocele isn't painful or dangerous. It might not require any treatment. Nonetheless, it's important to see a doctor if you notice any swelling in your scrotum.

A hydrocele is a fluid buildup around a testicle, often causing a painless swelling in one or both testicles. This swelling can make the scrotum (the sac containing the testicles) feel heavy. The swelling might be worse later in the day compared to the morning. A noticeable increase in the swelling, and any pain associated with it, is a reason to see a doctor.

It's important to figure out the cause of the swelling, as it could be something else. For instance, a hydrocele might be linked to a weakness in the abdominal muscles (inguinal hernia). A small part of the intestines might push through this weakness and into the scrotum.

In babies, hydroceles sometimes go away on their own. However, if a baby has a hydrocele after a year, or if the swelling worsens, a doctor should be consulted.

If you or your child experiences sudden, severe pain or swelling in the scrotum, seek immediate medical attention. This is especially crucial if the pain or swelling developed within a few hours of an injury to the scrotum. These symptoms could indicate a serious problem, like a twisted testicle (testicular torsion). Testicular torsion is a condition where blood flow to the testicle is blocked. Prompt treatment within hours of the symptoms appearing is vital to save the testicle.

If you or your child has a swollen scrotum, see a doctor. It's important to figure out the cause, as there could be other treatable reasons for the swelling. For example, sometimes a swelling called a hydrocele is connected to a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. This weakness can allow a part of the intestines to bulge into the scrotum. This is called an inguinal hernia.

Often, a baby's hydrocele will disappear on its own. But if the swelling lasts longer than a year or gets worse, talk to your child's doctor to have it checked again.

Seek immediate medical attention if you or your child has sudden, intense pain or swelling in the scrotum. This is especially important if the pain or swelling started shortly after an injury to the scrotum. These symptoms can be signs of serious problems, including a twisted testicle. A twisted testicle, called testicular torsion, cuts off blood flow to the testicle. Treatment needs to begin within hours of the symptoms appearing to save the testicle.

A hydrocele is a swelling in the scrotum (the pouch holding the testicles) caused by fluid buildup in the thin covering around the testicles.

Sometimes, this fluid buildup happens before a baby is born. As the baby's testicles move from the belly area to the scrotum, a sac forms around each testicle. This sac usually closes, and the fluid inside is absorbed by the body.

However, sometimes the sac doesn't close completely. This is called a noncommunicating hydrocele. In most cases, the fluid in these hydroceles is absorbed by the time the child is one or two years old.

In other cases, the sac remains open, creating a communicating hydrocele. This means fluid can flow in and out of the sac, or even back into the belly area. This type of hydrocele is sometimes connected to a condition called an inguinal hernia, where a part of the intestines bulges into the scrotum.

A hydrocele can also develop due to injury or inflammation in the scrotum. This inflammation might be caused by an infection in the testicle itself or in the epididymis (the small, coiled tube behind each testicle).

Many babies are born with a hydrocele. In fact, about 5 out of every 100 newborn boys have one. Babies born prematurely (more than three weeks early) are more likely to have this condition.

A hydrocele can also develop later in life. Possible reasons for this include:

• Scrotal injury or swelling: If the scrotum gets hurt or inflamed, this can sometimes lead to a hydrocele.
• Infection: Infections in the scrotum, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs), can increase the chance of developing a hydrocele.

A hydrocele is often a harmless condition that typically doesn't impact a person's ability to have children. However, in some cases, a hydrocele might be a sign of an underlying health issue that could lead to more serious problems. These potential problems include:

• Infection or a tumor: These can affect the testicles, potentially reducing sperm production or making the testicles function less effectively. An infection could cause pain and discomfort, and a tumor, if cancerous, could have very serious consequences.

• Inguinal hernia: This is a bulge in the groin area. While not always dangerous, an inguinal hernia can sometimes become trapped or twisted, leading to potentially life-threatening complications. If a hernia is suspected, it's important to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Untreated hernias can cause pain, and in severe cases, they can even cut off blood supply to the affected area.

A doctor will likely start by examining your scrotum (the sac that holds your testicles). This exam might include checking for any pain or swelling. They might also shine a light through the scrotum. If there's a buildup of fluid around the testicle (called a hydrocele), the light will pass through it, looking clear.

Next, your doctor might order some tests. Blood and urine tests can help determine if an infection is the cause of the problem. An ultrasound is another common test. An ultrasound uses sound waves to create images, helping doctors see if there's a hernia (a bulge in the groin area), a tumor, or other reasons for swelling in the scrotum.

Sometimes, a baby's hydrocele (a buildup of fluid around the testicle) will disappear on its own. However, it's always important to have a doctor check a hydrocele, no matter the age. This is because a hydrocele could be a sign of a testicle problem. If the hydrocele doesn't go away, surgery might be needed to remove it.

Surgery to remove a hydrocele is often performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning you don't have to stay overnight in the hospital. Before the surgery, you'll receive medicine to numb the area and/or put you into a medically-induced sleep (anesthesia). During the operation, a surgeon will make a small cut either in the scrotum or lower abdomen to remove the fluid buildup. Sometimes, a hydrocele is found during surgery to fix a condition called an inguinal hernia. In this case, the surgeon might remove the hydrocele even if it's not causing any pain or problems.

After surgery, you might have a small tube to drain any remaining fluid and a supportive bandage for a few days. Follow-up appointments are usually needed to ensure the hydrocele doesn't return. If you have any concerns about a hydrocele, please schedule an appointment with your doctor.