Hydrocele - Complications

Complications

Untreated Hydroceles can lead to infection of the fluid and testicular atrophy.

• A large hydrocele may obstruct the testicular blood supply leading to testicular atrophy and subsequent impairment of fertility.
• Hemorrhage into the hydrocele can result from testicular trauma.
• Very large hydroceles may rupture due to an increase in the volume of the fluid.
• Infection of the fluid present in a hydrocele could lead to a Pyocele.
• Calcification or hardening of the fluid could occur leading to atrophy of the testis.
• Presence of a Hernia can sometimes complicate a Hydrocele.

In tropical countries where filaria is endemic, the skin of the scrotum may get thickened along with the hydrocele and this is commonly referred as a filarial scrotum. The lymph channels get blocked due to the adult filarial worms and cause swelling and edema of the skin of not only scrotum but also lower limbs. There is a well-known condition in the topics called Elephantiasis of the leg (as the leg enlarges grotesquely and resembles an elephant's leg) that occurs due to this condition.

Wound healing is slow and complicated in patients with filarial infections due to the lymphedema and chronic scarring. Wound infections are also common in these patients with filarial hydrocele.

References:

1. British Journal of Surgery, Volume 73, Issue 1, Pages 77 � 78, Dec 2005
2. Michael E, Bundy DA, Grenfell BT. Re-assessing the global prevalence and distribution of lymphatic filariasis. Parasitology 1996;112:409-28.
3. Kumari KA, Harichandrakumar KT, Das LK, Krishnamoorthy K. Physical and psychosocial burden due to lymphatic filariasis as perceived by patients and medical experts. Trop Med Int Health. 2005;10:567�573. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2005.01426.x.
4. Hydrocele in Emergency Medicine - (https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/777386-overview)
5. Hydrocele - Overview - (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hydrocele/symptoms-causes/syc-20363969)
6. What is a hydrocele? - (https://patient.info/mens-health/scrotal-lumps-pain-and-swelling/hydrocele-in-adults#nav-1)

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