Encysted spermatic cord hydroceles: a report of three cases in adults and a review of the literature

Encysted spermatic cord hydrocele: A case series

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Encysted spermatic cord hydrocele is a rare anomaly characterized by obstruction of processus vaginalis closure. Clinically, it presents as a swelling in the inguinal region extending to the upper scrotum and does not communicate with the peritoneal cavity. It is often mistaken for indirect inguinal hernias, inguinal lymphadenopathy, undescended testis, and primary tumors of the cord in infants and children, making the diagnosis challenging.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report the cases of five male patients aged nine months to 12 years who presented with painless swelling on the right side of the scrotal region. Physical examination revealed firm masses in the right inguinal region with positive transillumination, negative cough impulse tests, and irreducibility. Inguinal and scrotal ultrasonography showed an anechoic cystic lesion with thin walls, without any signs suggestive of a hernia. Patients were diagnosed with encysted spermatic cord hydrocele and advised to undergo cyst excision. The postoperative periods were uneventful, and expected recovery was observed at one-week and one-month follow-ups.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Encysted spermatic cord hydroceles are rare causes of painless inguinal swelling. The medical history and clinical findings can be used to establish a diagnosis, which can be confirmed using ultrasonography. Management depends on differentiating between spermatic cord hydrocele and scrotal hydrocele and involves considering the type. Treatment options range from conservative measures to surgery, particularly for non-communicating hydroceles that persist beyond 12-18 months or enlarge in size.

CONCLUSION

Encysted hydrocele of the cord is rare and is often mistaken for indirect inguinal hernias in infants and children. This similarity makes the diagnosis challenging and necessitates vigilance from clinicians. Surgical intervention results in optimal outcomes, especially in cases where the hydrocele persists beyond 12-18 months or with size progression.

Diagnosis and management of a rare case of encysted hydrocele of spermatic cord: Case report and literature review

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

A hydrocele is typically a non-cancerous condition that arises from the accumulation of fluid between the layers of the vaginal process. Diagnosis primarily involves a physical examination. In instances where the condition is mistaken for other pathological conditions, additional investigations may be undertaken. Surgical intervention is typically deferred until after the age of one year, unless the hydrocele is significantly large.

CASE PRESENTATION

A case was presented of a 4-year-old boy who was referred to the hospital with a suspected deep inguinal hernia. Upon examination, it was determined that the mass was actually an encysted hydrocele of spermatic cord. The patient underwent a minimally invasive surgery to remove the spermatocele, and the procedure was successful.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

This emphasizes the importance of obtaining a detailed patient history and conducting a comprehensive physical examination, which often provide sufficient information to make a diagnosis. In many instances, these initial steps can spare patients from undergoing additional tests that may be invasive or pose unnecessary risks.

CONCLUSION

It is important to note that in cases of hydroceles, conservative treatment, such as observation, is the primary approach before the age of one year. Surgery is typically reserved for older children or those with large hydroceles.

Laparoscopic hydrocelectomy with transabdominal preperitoneal hernioplasty or iliopubic tract repair for treatment of encysted spermatic cord hydrocele

BACKGROUND

An encysted spermatic cord hydrocele (ESCH) causes an inguinal swelling resembling an inguinal hernia (IH). An ESCH should be considered as a differential diagnosis of IH. Although laparoscopic operations have been performed to treat ESCHs in pediatric patients, such operations have not been reported in adults. This study was performed to evaluate the outcomes of laparoscopic hydrocelectomy for treatment of ESCHs in adults.

METHODS

The medical charts of 49 patients who underwent laparoscopic transabdominal hydrocelectomy for ESCHs from January 2015 to December 2020 at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into those with and without an IH. Laparoscopic hydrocelectomy was performed, and the internal inguinal ring was closed with iliopubic tract repair (IPTR) or transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) hernioplasty depending on the presence of an IH. The patients' age, ESCH location, postoperative complications, recurrence, and operating time were examined.

RESULTS

The patients' mean age was 46.7 (20-77) years. All patients underwent laparoscopic hydrocelectomy without open conversion. ESCHs were more common on the right side (35/49, 71.4%) than on the left (14/49, 28.6%). The presenting symptom in all patients was inguinal swelling. The ESCH was located inside the inguinal canal in 47 patients and protruded to the abdominal cavity from the inguinal canal in 2 patients. After laparoscopic hydrocelectomy, 32 patients without an IH underwent IPTR and 17 patients with an IH underwent TAPP hernioplasty. The mean operating time was shorter in the IPTR than TAPP hernioplasty group. The postoperative complications and hospital stay were not different between the two groups. There were no recurrences in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic hydrocelectomy with IPTR or TAPP hernioplasty is safe and feasible for treatment of ESCHs in adults.

Encysted spermatic cord hydroceles in 3-year old boy, case report

Hydrocele of the spermatic cord is a rare anomaly which occurs when closure of processus vaginalis was hampered. There are two variations of a spermatic cord hydrocele: the encysted variety that does not communicate with the peritoneal cavity and the funicular variety that communicates with the peritoneal cavity. This case report depicts the clinical investigation and management of a rare case of encysted spermatic cord hydrocele in a 3-year-old boy. Surgery is indicated if noncommunicating scrotal hydrocele does not resolve by 12–18 months of age or if it becomes larger in size.

Encysted Spermatic Cord Hydrocele in a 60-year-old, Mimicking Incarcerated Inguinal Hernia: A Case Report

Hydrocele of spermatic cord is caused by defect in closure of the processus vaginalis, as the testicles descend into the scrotum during foetal development. It usually occurs in infancy and childhood. There are two types of hydrocele of spermatic cord. Encysted type is caused by defective closure at both proximal and distal ends of processus vaginalis and it does not communicate with the peritoneal cavity. Funicular type is caused by defective closure of only distal end of tunica vaginalis and it communicates with the peritoneal cavity. The encysted type can be confused clinically with incarcerated inguinal hernia, inguinal lymphadenopathy, undescended testis and primary tumours of cord like lipoma. We are presenting a case of encysted hydrocele of spermatic cord in a 60-year-old male, which clinically mimicked incarcerated inguinal hernia.

Encysted hydrocele of cord in an adult misdiagnosed as irreducible hernia: a case report

A number of pathologies can present as groin swellings in adults.Among these, encysted hydrocele of the cord presenting as swelling in an adult is a rare. A case of encysted hydrocele of cord in 36 year old male mimicking as as an irreducible hernia is reported. The diagnosis of hydrocele was made intraoperatively. An excision of the sac was performed.