Renal & Urology

Hydrocoele

A hydrocoele is a fluid collection around the testis; uncomplicated infantile hydrocoeles often resolve, while new, atypical or adult swellings require confident testicular assessment and surgery only when symptoms or cause justify it.

Definition

A hydrocoele is a collection of serous fluid within the tunica vaginalis surrounding the testis. It may be communicating, non-communicating, primary or secondary.

First principles

Fluid surrounds the testis

A hydrocoele is fluid within the tunica vaginalis. It may be communicating through a patent processus vaginalis in an infant, or non-communicating in an adult; it can also be secondary to infection, trauma, torsion or a testicular lesion.

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