Andrology - male diseases >>>> Dropsy of the testicle (hydrocele)

Dropsy of the testicle (hydrocele).

Excessive swelling of the testicular membrane due to increased fluid secretion or fluid retention in the testicular membrane is called hydrocele (dropsy of the testicle). The disease occurs in newborns, children and adults.

Hydrocele, or dropsy of the testicle, is a congenital or acquired condition. Congenital dropsy of the testicle develops due to excessive production of fluid by the testicular membrane, or is associated with the overflow of fluid from the peritoneum into the testicular membrane through an ungrown canal (the vaginal process of the peritoneum, which usually overgrows within three months). This condition is called “communicating dropsy of the testicle”.

Acquired hydrocele occurs when fluid accumulates in the testicular membrane. Fluid can form due to various factors:

Effusion (purulent exudate, blood) into the cavity of the testicular membrane due to an inflammatory process (for example, epididymitis orchiditis, inflammation of the spermatic cord, orchitis) or injury;
Effusion into the cavity of the testicular membrane for reasons not related to inflammatory processes (impaired venous outflow, impaired lymph outflow, surgery due to hernia, varicocele, or other reasons).

Signs of a hydrocele:

Hydrocele occurs in the area of the membrane of one testicle or both at the same time;
One of the testicles (or both) increase in size;
Aching pain in the scrotum;
Temperature rise is possible;
A large volume of accumulated fluid makes it difficult to walk or other movements, and also creates impossible conditions for wearing underwear, trousers;
The amount of accumulated liquid can vary and sometimes reaches several liters (in the most difficult cases);
Possibly a violation of urination.

For the diagnosis of testicular hydrocele, palpation of the external genital organs, diaphanoscopy (the scrotum is illuminated with a special light source), ultrasound are performed. Differential diagnosis with hernia and other diseases is mandatory.

Treatment of dropsy of the testicle is carried out with the help of surgical intervention, but in cases of congenital communicating hydrocele, surgical intervention is not carried out until one and a half to two years (they wait).

An operation to remove fluid from the testicular membranes is performed by puncturing the membrane (puncture) or by incising the membrane and then suturing the membrane. Puncture sometimes gives an unstable, temporary effect, so it is usually recommended to carry out a full-fledged operation under anesthesia.

Dropsy of the testicle, not treated in a timely manner, can lead to complications:

Compression of the testicle, leading to infertility (spermatogenesis is impaired);
Testicular atrophy due to impaired blood supply;
Erectile disfunction;
Premature ejaculation;
Unaesthetic appearance of the genitals;
Testicular necrosis, gangrene and its subsequent removal.