Testicular hydrocele is a common disease that occurs in adult men and young children. Why does it arise? What treatment is required? You will find answers to these and other questions in the presented article.
Disease Description
Hydrocele (aka dropsy) is a pathology accompanied by accumulation of fluid in the cavity of the scrotum. Its volume can vary from 20 ml to 3 liters. Depending on the cause of the disease, two forms are distinguished - communicating and isolated. In the first case, the scrotum connects to the abdominal cavity through the canal. The communicating form of testicular hydrocele in children is much more common than in adults. It does not require specific treatment and passes on its own within a few months. The isolated form develops as a result of the production of fluid in the shells of the testicles in excess. Its occurrence may be preceded by an injury to the inguinal region or an inflammatory process.
The mechanism of the development of the disease
The main function of one of the testicle shells is to produce a fluid that promotes its free movement inside the scrotum. There is a balance between secretion and its reabsorption. If it is disturbed, the liquid begins to accumulate in the membranes, causing the development of a hydrocele of the right testicle or left. During the prenatal period, iron descends into the lower genital area. At the same time, the so-called vaginal process moves. Its hole is gradually tightened. If this does not happen, the liquid begins to accumulate. According to this principle, hydrocele develops in young children.
In adult men, the disease, as a rule, is acquired in nature. An injury to the inguinal region, radiation, an infectious disease can contribute to its occurrence. In the 19th century, testicular hydrocele was most often diagnosed with gonorrhea. Nowadays, the main cause of the disease is injury. The mechanical effect can be so insignificant that the man will not even feel any changes. An anomaly usually manifests itself several days after injury. Initially, a small seal forms, which does not cause pain. Then it increases in size. Only at this stage, representatives of the stronger sex turn to the doctor.
Features of hydrocele in children
Dropsy of the testicle, as a rule, falls on the age of 20-30 years. In young children, pathology is diagnosed in a third of cases, half of which in boys under 5 years of age. The painful process can last for several years. As a rule, the pathology goes away on its own. Every fifth child in a hundred needs surgery.
Testicular hydrocele in children can trigger certain factors:
- hereditary predisposition;
- infectious diseases;
- mechanical damage;
- low birth weight;
- inflammatory processes in the scrotum.
The most difficult cases are those when dropsy forms after radical treatment of a hernia of the inguinal region. Young patients require ongoing monitoring with duplex testing and ultrasound. If the volume of education interferes with the child and rapidly increases in size, surgical intervention is also indicated. Children tolerate operations very well, the recovery period requires a lot of effort. At this time, doctors recommend limiting stress and mobility so that the seams do not open.
Manifestations of the disease in adults and children
The main symptom of hydrocele is an enlarged scrotum. Pathological changes can be observed both on the one hand, and on both. Dropsy is usually not accompanied by pain discomfort, but in small patients, a slight increase in temperature is possible.
Testicular hydrocele in men usually proceeds in an acute form. In the absence of timely treatment, it transforms into a chronic one. Acute dropsy occurs suddenly and may be accompanied by symptoms of intoxication (weakness, loss of appetite). The chronic form of the disease is characterized by severity in the scrotum, an increase in its size in the daytime and a decrease at night. Fluid builds up slowly. However, in some patients, its volumes reach critical levels. Such a hydrocele necessarily affects the quality of life of a man. He can not move freely, the formation makes urination problematic, leads to a violation of spermatogenesis.
Diagnostic measures
If the initial symptoms of the disease appear, consult a doctor. As a rule, diagnosis is straightforward. The doctor should examine the scrotum with bright light (a procedure called diaphanoscopy). If necessary, assign additional examinations:
- Ultrasound of the scrotum and duplex scanning of blood vessels. Ultrasound examination allows you to determine the hydrocele of the testis, the causes that caused it, the presence of tumors of the spermatic cord.
- If an inflammatory process is suspected, a general and bacteriological analysis of urine is prescribed. The test results also allow the doctor to choose the most effective antibiotic for subsequent treatment.
- Puncture of the scrotum is recommended if cancer is suspected. The material obtained during the study is then sent for study already in the laboratory.
Dropsy is important to differentiate from diseases such as varicocele, inguinal hernia and orchitis.
Hydrocele treatment in children
Until the age of two, doctors prefer to follow expectant tactics. The vaginal process in most children independently closes by the first year of life. If testicular hydrocele does not pass, symptoms increase every day, conservative treatment is possible. In such cases, they resort to a procedure to remove excess fluid from the shells by puncture. All manipulations are carried out in a hospital, so as not to infect the infection. Upon reaching the age of two, the only treatment option is surgery.
Conservative treatment in adults
With the development of hydrocele of the testicles against inflammation of the scrotum in adult men, the leading direction in treatment is antibiotic therapy. In addition, the patient is recommended complete rest and wearing a special dressing - a suspensory. In the case of a complete cure of the background disease, the testicular tissue is restored, and the blood supply and lymph flow are normalized.
Hydrocele treatment at home
Many parents, worrying about the health of the child, resort to the help of recipes of folk doctors. A disease such as testicular hydrocele is not an exception in this matter. Treatment at home is possible only if the ailment is not accompanied by unpleasant sensations. In addition, a doctor’s consultation is mandatory. Below are some popular recipes from traditional medicine.
- It is necessary to take raw chamomile grass and pass through a meat grinder. The resulting slurry can be applied to the affected areas 3-4 times a day.
- It will take a tablespoon of coltsfoot herb to mix with the same amount of sweet clover flowers . Then the herbs must be steamed in a glass of boiling water and strain. The resulting infusion can be taken orally by 3-4 tablespoons several times a day.
Treatment of dropsy at home is permissible only as an addition to the main course of therapy. The complicated course of the disease requires a more serious approach - surgery.
Surgical Options
With the ineffectiveness of conservative therapy and an increase in symptoms of testicular hydrocele, treatment is performed surgically. For this purpose, use:
- Hydrocelectomy. In total, there are several operational techniques. Among them, the methods proposed by Bergman and Winkelmann were most prevalent. During surgery, the doctor makes an incision on the scrotum, after which the hydrocele is removed. For the prevention of postoperative relapse, the installation of a special drainage tube may be required. It is removed after a few days at the next preventive examination.
- Puncture aspiration of fluid. This treatment involves removing excess fluid through puncture. Aspiration is not widespread, since in most cases it has a temporary effect.
Endoscopic treatment of dropsy has been universally recognized. During the operation, the doctor makes several small punctures on the skin, through which he then inserts instruments for surgical manipulations. Endoscopic surgery has several advantages compared to other methods of therapy. It takes a little time, differs in the absence of scars on the skin and quick recovery.
Rehabilitation after surgery
After surgery, young children recover quickly. Pain discomfort is usually absent, if necessary, prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs (Paracetamol, Nurofen). At school age, children are exempted from physical education for a month. Doctors recommend younger patients to exclude active games.
What should adult men pay attention to after surgery? Such patients can take a shower after 48 hours. For some time, you should limit physical activity, do not play sports. With severe pain in the scrotum, you can take "Ketoprofen" or "Ibuprofen."
What is the danger of hydrocele?
Lack of timely treatment or exposure to certain factors can adversely affect the disease. What is the danger of testicular hydrocele? We examined the causes of the pathology a little higher, now it is necessary to talk about its consequences. Among the most common complications include suppuration and accumulation of blood between the membranes. This condition is usually accompanied by intoxication of the body, the rapid spread of the pathological process to surrounding tissues. At a more advanced age, dropsy is fraught with male infertility and erectile dysfunction. These disorders, unfortunately, are practically not treatable. That is why it is so important to monitor health, and when symptoms of an ailment appear, immediately consult a doctor.
Disease prevention
What does a hydrocele testicle look like? Photos of the pathology can be found in medical directories. However, many men are more interested in the question of how to avoid its development. First of all, doctors recommend protecting the scrotum from injuries and mechanical damage. When playing sports, you must use special protection. In addition, it is important to deal with the prevention of infectious diseases and acute inflammation, not to neglect the annual medical examination. Be healthy!