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Medical Author:

John Mersch, MD, FAAP

John Mersch, MD, FAAP

Dr. Mersch received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, San Diego, and prior to entering the University Of Southern California School Of Medicine, was a graduate student (attaining PhD candidate status) in Experimental Pathology at USC. He attended internship and residency at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

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Medical Editor:

David Perlstein, MD, MBA, FAAP

David Perlstein, MD, MBA, FAAP

Dr. Perlstein received his Medical Degree from the University of Cincinnati and then completed his internship and residency in pediatrics at The New York Hospital, Cornell medical Center in New York City. After serving an additional year as Chief Pediatric Resident, he worked as a private practitioner and then was appointed Director of Ambulatory Pediatrics at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx.

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In this Article

• What is a hydrocele?
• What causes hydroceles?
• What are the physical features and types of hydroceles?
• Communicating hydroceles
• Non-communicating hydroceles
• How are hydroceles diagnosed?
• What is the treatment for hydroceles?
• What are other non-tender scrotal swelling conditions?
• Hydrocele At A Glance
• Patient Comments: Hydrocele - Types and Features
• Patient Comments: Hydrocele - Treatment
• Patient Comments: Hydrocele - Other Swelling Conditions
• Find a local Urologist in your town
• Hydrocele (Pediatric, Testicular) Index

• While hydroceles may occur in either gender, they are much more common in males.
  
  
• A hydrocele is a collection of clear fluid in a thin walled sack present in the scrotum.
  
  
• Hydroceles may be either one sided or occupy both sides.
  
  
• Hydroceles are painless, soft swellings and may be either present at birth (congenital) or develop later.
  
  
• A very large majority of hydroceles present at birth resolve spontaneously by one year of age.
  
  
• Hydroceles that are not congenital or those still present after one year of age generally warrant surgical correction.
  
  
• There are other conditions that must be considered when evaluating a boy with chronic, non-tender scrotal swelling. These include hernia, varicocele and tumor. Physical examination is very helpful in sorting through these options. Rarely are diagnostic or invasive studies necessary.

REFERENCES:

George W. Kaplin. "Scrotal Swelling in Children." Pediatrics in Review; vol 21, September 2000, 311-314.

Moritz M. Ziegler. "Diagnosis of Inguinal Hernia and Hydrocele." Pediatrics in Review; vol.15, July 1994, 286-298.

UpToDate.com. "Causes of Painless Scrotal Swelling in Children and Adolescents."

UpToDate.com. "Overview of Inguinal Hernia in Children."