Hydrocele
A hydrocele is a buildup of fluid in the pouch that holds the testes in the scrotum. Hydroceles are common in newborns, affecting up to 1 in 10 baby boys at birth. In most cases, the hydrocele goes away without treatment in the first 18 – 24 months of life. Hydroceles that don’t resolve themselves may require surgery to correct. The pediatric urology team at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s has expertise in diagnosing and managing hydroceles in infants and children.
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Schedule OnlineHydrocele Causes
During male fetal development, a pouch forms in the abdomen before moving down into the scrotum. After the pouch moves, it usually is sealed off from the abdomen. When this doesn’t happen correctly, a hydrocele can form. There are two types of hydrocele:
- Communicating hydrocele: The pouch that holds the testes doesn't fully close. This enables a small amount of abdominal fluid to flow in and out of the pouch. The size of the hydrocele will fluctuate as the amount of fluid changes throughout the day.
- Noncommunicating hydrocele: When this type of hydrocele is present at birth, it often goes away on its own without treatment within the baby’s first year of life. If a noncommunicating hydrocele develops in an older child, it could be a symptom of other problems such as infection, testicle torsion (twisting) or a tumor.
Hydrocele Symptoms
Symptoms of hydrocele in babies or children include:
- Swelling of the scrotum.
- Smooth, painless lump in the scrotum.
- Scrotum changes in size throughout the day (smaller when he wakes up, bigger when child is active and at night).
Hydrocele Diagnosis
To diagnose a hydrocele, your child’s provider will ask about symptoms and perform a physical examination of the scrotum. They may need to determine if the lump in the scrotum is caused by a hydrocele or an inguinal hernia, which occurs when a section of the intestines or intra-abdominal fat pushes through the lower abdominal wall and creates a bulge. You child’s provider may also perform an ultrasound to help diagnose a hydrocele.
Hydrocele Treatment
A noncommunicating hydrocele often goes away on its own in the baby’s first year of life. Hydroceles that don’t go away after the child is 18 – 24 months old may be a communicating hydrocele. Your child’s healthcare provider may recommend surgery to fix the hydrocele and prevent an inguinal hernia.
To correct the hydrocele, your child’s pediatric urologist will make a small incision in the groin, drain the fluid and close the pouch opening. If a hernia is present, it will be repaired during the same surgery.
Your child’s surgeon will likely recommend a follow-up appointment to make sure the incision is healing properly and to check for complications.
Learn More About Our Pediatric Urology Program
To learn more about our pediatric urology services, please call 216-844-5661.