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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffUsually the only indication of a hydrocele is a painless swelling of one or both testicles. Adult men with a hydrocele may experience discomfort from the heaviness of a swollen scrotum.
When to see a doctor
For yourself
See your doctor if you experience scrotal swelling. It's important to rule out other possible causes for the swelling, such as a tumor. Sometimes a hydrocele is associated with an inguinal hernia, in which a weak point in the abdominal wall allows a loop of intestine to extend into the scrotum and which may require treatment.
For your child
If your baby has scrotal swelling, make an appointment with your baby's doctor. If the doctor determines that the cause of the swelling is a hydrocele, it will typically disappear on its own. However, if your baby's hydrocele doesn't disappear after a year or if it enlarges, you should have it re-evaluated.
- 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.
