DISEASE SCANNER

Global Incurable Diseases Tracker

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Urologic Condition

Hydrocele

LOW SEVERITY

A collection of fluid in the scrotum around the testicle, causing swelling. Common in newborns (usually resolves within first year) and older men. Typically painless but can cause discomfort due to swelling. Two types: communicating (patent processus vaginalis) and non-communicating.

Global Affected

2.5M

Countries

111

Symptoms

Painless scrotal swelling
Heaviness in scrotum
Scrotum feels like water balloon
Swelling may be smaller in morning
Swelling increases during day
Discomfort with walking/sitting

Treatment Options

Observation (infants and mild cases)
Hydrocelectomy (surgical removal)
Needle aspiration
Sclerotherapy
Laparoscopic repair
Scrotal support
Pain relievers

Risk Factors

1Newborn (congenital)
2Age over 40
3Scrotal injury
4Infection (epididymitis/orchitis)
5Testicular tumor
6Previous scrotal surgery
7Filariasis (endemic areas)
8Heart failure
9Cirrhosis

Diagnostic Methods

  • 1Physical examination (transillumination)
  • 2Scrotal ultrasound
  • 3Ultrasound Doppler (rule out tumor)
  • 4Urinalysis (rule out infection)
  • 5Serum tumor markers (if concerned)

Prognosis

Excellent; hydrocelectomy has 95-99% success rate with low recurrence. Infant hydroceles resolve spontaneously in 80-90% by age 1. Aspiration alone has high recurrence rate (70%). Rarely causes fertility problems unless associated with underlying testicular issues.

Prevention

  • No specific prevention
  • Protect groin during sports
  • Prompt treatment of infections
  • Regular testicular self-exams

Research Status

Observation for infants (often resolves spontaneously). Surgery (hydrocelectomy) is definitive treatment for symptomatic or persistent cases. Aspiration and sclerotherapy for patients unfit for surgery. Laparoscopic repair for communicating hydroceles. Minimally invasive techniques improving recovery.

Affected Countries

United StatesUnited KingdomCanadaAustraliaGermanyFranceItalySpainJapanChinaIndiaBrazilRussiaSwedenNetherlandsBelgiumSwitzerlandAustriaDenmarkNorwayFinlandPolandCzech RepublicHungaryRomaniaBulgariaCroatiaSloveniaSlovakiaLTLVEEIrelandPortugalGreeceCYMTLUIcelandNew ZealandSouth KoreaSingaporeTaiwanHong KongMalaysiaThailandVietnamIndonesiaPhilippinesSouth AfricaNigeriaEgyptTurkeyIranSaudi ArabiaUAEQatarKuwaitOmanJordanLebanonSyriaYemenIraqAfghanistanPakistanBangladeshLKNPMMKHLAMNKazakhstanUzbekistanTMKGTJAzerbaijanAMGEUkraineBelarusMDALBAMEMKSerbiaXKMexicoArgentinaChileColombiaPeruVenezuelaEcuadorUYPYBOCRPAGuatemalaHNSVNIBZJMHaitiDominican RepublicCuba

Sources

  • https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/hydrocele
  • https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hydrocele/symptoms-causes/syc-20363969
  • https://www.hematology.org/education/patients
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books
  • https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult healthcare professionals for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.