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Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck
Author(s) -
Wei Benjamin P. C.,
Castles Lindsay,
Stewart Kate A.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
anz journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.426
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 1445-1433
DOI - 10.1046/j.1445-2197.2002.02466.x
Subject(s) - repatriation , medicine , hydrocele , medical school , surgery , general surgery , history , archaeology , medical education
Hydrocele of the canal of nuck is a rare condition in females of which there are approximately 500 cases in the known literature. It is caused by incomplete obliteration of the processus vaginalis peritonei, a tubular fold of peritoneum that invaginate the inguinal canal anterior to the gubernaculum and is analogous to the tunica vaginalis testis in the male. Commonly if the processus remains patent, it forms a pathway for an indirect inguinal hernia. However, if it is partially obliterated proximally, an encysted hydrocele can result. Herein we report the case of a hydrocele in a 26-year-old female presenting with an intermittent right groin lump. Differentials included a femoral hernia, inguinal lymphadenopathy, epidermal cyst or tumour (sarcoma, lipoma, leiomyoma). Ultrasound examination demonstrated a 6 cm dumb bell shaped anechoic structure with its waist at the superficial ring, consistent with a hydrocele. The diagnosis was subsequently confirmed on surgical exploration.