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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staff
For baby boys, a hydrocele can develop in the womb. Normally, the testicles descend from the developing baby's abdominal cavity into the scrotum. A sac (processus vaginalis) accompanies each testicle, allowing fluid to surround the testicles.
In most cases, each sac closes and the fluid is absorbed. However, if the fluid remains after the sac closes, the condition is known as a noncommunicating hydrocele. Because the sac is closed, fluid can't flow back into the abdomen. Usually the fluid gets absorbed within a year.
In some cases, however, the sac remains open. With this condition, known as communicating hydrocele, the sac can change size or, if the scrotal sac is compressed, fluid can flow back into the abdomen.
In older males, a hydrocele can develop as a result of inflammation or injury within the scrotum. Inflammation may be the result of infection of the small coiled tube at the back of each testicle (epididymitis) or of the testicle.
- Schneck FX, et al. Abnormalities of the testes and scrotum and their surgical management. In: Wein AJ, et al., eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/155313268-8/877525068/1445/130.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-7216-0798-6..50129-1--cesec43_8090. Accessed Sept. 1, 2009.
- Zadikoff C. Hydrocele. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2009. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/155313268-8/877525068/1701/282.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-04134-8..50011-2--cesec716_6058. Accessed Sept. 1, 2009.
- Hydrocele. National Guideline Clearinghouse. http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=12592. Accessed Sept. 1, 2009.
- Elder JS. Disorders and anomalies of the scrotal contents. In: Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/155313268-8/877525068/1608/1246.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2450-7..50547-8--cesec20_9837. Accessed Sept. 1, 2009.
- Hydroceles and inguinal hernias. American Urological Association. http://www.urologyhealth.org/search/index.cfm?topic=95&search=hydrocele&searchtype=and. Accessed Sept. 1, 2009.
- Brenner JS. Causes of painless scrotal swelling in children and adolescents. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 1, 2009.
- Ramsook C. Overview of inguinal hernia in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 1, 2009.
- Sandlow JI, et al. Surgery of the scrotum and seminal vesicles. In: Wein AJ, et al., eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/155486720-11/877862325/1445/37.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-7216-0798-6..50036-4--cesec31_2562. Accessed Sept. 1, 2009.
- Shoemaker MD. Infectious diseases. In: Rakel RE. Textbook of Family Medicine. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/155486720-12/877868200/1481/233.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2467-5..50024-5--cesec84_956. Accessed Sept. 1, 2009.
- Nippoldt TB (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 9, 2009.
