Hydrocoele Flashcards
1
Q
Definition
A
The excessive collection of serous fluid within the tunica vaginalis (pouch of serous membrane that covers the testes)
2
Q
Aetiology
A
- Congenital
- Idiopathic
- Tumour
- Infection
- Trauma
- Underlying testicular torsion
- Testicular appendage
3
Q
Risk factors/Associations
A
o Indirect inguinal hernias in children
o Epididymo-orchitis
o Filariasis (in countries of high prevalence)
4
Q
Epidemiology
A
- VERY COMMON in CHILDREN in the first year of life
* Common in older men
5
Q
Presenting symptoms
A
- Scrotal swelling
- Usually ASYMPTOMATIC
- Patients may complain of pain or urinary symptoms due to the underlying cause
6
Q
Signs on physical examination
A
- Scrotal swelling
- It is possible to get above the swelling
- Transilluminates
- Difficult to separate the swelling from the testicle
7
Q
Investigations
A
- Ultrasound - exclude tumour
- Urine - dipstick and MSU for infection
• Blood - markers of testicular tumours:
o alpha-fetoprotein
o beta-HCG
o Lactate dehydrogenase
