Surgery: Scrotal lumps Flashcards
Name some of the benign scrotal lumps
- Hydrocele
- Varicocele
- Epidiymal cyst
- Spermatocele
- Abscess
- Orchitis/Epidiymitis
Red flag features for varicocele (3)
- acute onset
- right-sided
- remain when lying flat
What to ask about in the history in a patient presenting with a scrotal lump? (3)
- clarify time of onset
- associated symptoms (especially pain)
- previous episodes
What does the inspection of a scrotal lump should include (6)?
“6 S’s” → describing:
- Site
- Size
- Shape
- Symmetry
- Skin changes
- any Scars present
What to comment on in lump palpation? (11)
comment on 3T CAMPFIRE:
- Tenderness, Temperature, Transillumination
- Consistency
- Attachments
- Mobility
- Pulsation
- Fluctuation
- Irreducibility
- Regional lymph nodes
- Edge
Investigations of scrotal lumps
- ultrasound scan of the scrotum → the first-line
If cancer is suspected:
- blood tests: lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (beta-hCG)
- further imaging may be warranted, depending on the suspected underlying cause (CXR, CT
What blood-tests to perform if a testicular cancer is suspected?
- lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
- alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
- beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (beta-hCG)
What imaging and why to perform if testicular cancer is suspected? (3)
- USS → in any suspicious testicular mass
- CXR → to assess for widespread pulmonary metastasis
- CT scan → chest-abdomen-pelvis to look for metastases in confirmed cancer cases → will assess for para-aortic lymph nodes spread
Do we do a biopsy in suspected testicular cancers?
NO! → due to risk of seeding cancer
Hydrocele
- what is this
- what layers does it involve
- abnormal collection of peritoneal fluid between the parietal and visceral layers of the tunica vaginalis enveloping the testis
A typical presentation of hydrocele
- painless fluctuant swelling
- transilluminate
- either unilateral or bilateral
- occasionally they can grow very large and cause discomfort when sitting and walking
When do we consider surgical management of a hydrocele?
If they grow very large and cause discomfort on sitting, walking etc.
Management of congenital hydrocele
- affect up to 3% of male neonates
- regress spontaneously by one or two years of age
- No treatment is typically needed
- In infants, they can be caused by a patent processus vaginalis requiring ligation to stop recurrence
Causes of hydrocele in an adult
- primary → idiopathic
- secondary → trauma, infection, or malignancy
In which cases to perform an urgent USS when a patient presents with hydrocele?
- aged between 20-40yrs
OR
- where the testis cannot be palpated
What is the principle behind transillumination?
The technique helps to assess whether a mass is fluid-filled or not:
- the fluid will transilluminate
- solid masses will not
*Hydrocoeles and large epididymal cysts will classically transilluminate
What is varicocele?
- abnormal dilatation of the pampiniform venous plexus within the spermatic cord
Presentation of varicocele
A lump described as:
- feeling like a “bag of worms”
- with a “dragging sensation”
- may disappear on lying flat
What position do we examine the patient with varicocele?
- lying down
- standing up
- whilst performing a valsava manoeuvre
What side and why are the varicoceles commonly found?
90% of varicoceles are found on the left side as the spermatic vein drains directly into the left renal vein
(compared to the inferior vena cava on the right)
Possible complications of varicocele
infertility and testicular atrophy → increasing the intra-scrotal temperature
*men who have a varicocele and fertility issues should undergo semen analysis, with referral to a urology specialist if abnormal
Do we need to treat varicoceles?
Asymptomatic varicoceles with no alarming features generally need no treatment
Possible surgical management of varicocele
Surgical management includes:
- embolisation → by an interventional radiologist
- surgical approaches → open or laparoscopic approach for ligation of the spermatic veins
Do we examine the abdomen in a patient presenting with varicocele?
The abdomen should always be examined → to exclude a renal tumour as the cause of a varicocele (albeit rare)