Patient's question:
The son is now one year and ten months old. Before, I noticed that his testicles were not the same size, but I didn't take it seriously. Today, I touched the left one with my hand and felt that it was much larger than the right one, although the appearance didn't show a significant difference. When I took him to the hospital and asked the doctor, I learned that it was serious. How is hydrocele treated?Doctor's answer:
Hydrocele of the tunica vaginalis refers to the accumulation of excessive fluid between the two layers of the tunica vaginalis surrounding the testis. Most hydroceles have no obvious cause and are termed primary hydroceles. Their development is usually slow, and patients may be asymptomatic. Hydroceles caused by trauma to the scrotum, inflammation or tumors of the testis and epididymis, or filariasis are called secondary hydroceles. They often exhibit symptoms of the underlying primary disease.Primary hydroceles initially cause no symptoms and develop slowly. Patients may only notice them when the hydrocele grows to a certain size. A large hydrocele may cause a sensation of heaviness and drooping due to its weight. In some cases, the penis may be buried in the scrotum, affecting urination. A characteristic feature of congenital hydroceles is that the swelling disappears rapidly when the patient lies down. However, sometimes the communication channel is very narrow, and the swelling only slightly decreases or becomes slightly softer after prolonged lying down, making it easily misdiagnosed as a testicular hydrocele. When taking the medical history, it is important to inquire specifically about changes in the size of the swelling. A spermatic hydrocele often appears as a swelling above the testis, similar in size to the testis and sometimes mistaken for three testes. Testicular hydroceles are usually pear-shaped, with the testis enclosed inside and not palpable. The hardness of the cyst varies greatly. The fluid volume can be substantial, making the cyst very firm and resembling a testicular tumor.
If the condition develops in adults, surgical treatment may be recommended.
Guidance:
It is recommended to visit a regular hospital for examination to confirm the condition before undergoing symptomatic treatment. Wishing you good health. If you have any questions, feel free to consult online.