Synonyms
Hydrocele, water breakage
Definition
The term “hydrocele” (water in the testicle) refers to an accumulation of fluid within the scrotum. It is a mostly benign change in the testicle, which usually does not cause pain to the affected person. The water in the testicle can be limited to the testicle (hydrocele testis) or can also affect the spermatic cord (hydrocele funiculi spermatici).
Water in the testicle is a mostly benign and painless change in the area of the testicle, which leads to distinct accumulation of fluid within the scrotum. In most cases the water in the testicle can recede spontaneously without medical intervention. If the hydrocele does not recede on its own, the change should be treated surgically.
The prognosis for water in the testicles is generally considered to be very good. If there is water in the testis, a distinction must be made between a congenital and an acquired form of the disease. Congenital water in the testis (synonym: primary water hernia) occurs in babies especially if the abdominal wall was not completely closed during embryonic development.
In Germany, approximately one to seven out of one hundred newborn boys have water in the testicles. The risk of the primary occurrence of this change is therefore approximately 1 to 7 percent. The so-called secondary (acquired) water in the testis, on the other hand, only occurs in childhood or adulthood.
The causes for the development of an acquired hydrocele can be very diverse. Above all, inflammatory processes in the area of the testicles or epididymis seem to play a decisive role in this context. Typical signs indicating the presence of water in the testis are unilateral swelling in the area of the scrotum as well as feelings of pressure and heaviness. If the presence of water in the testicles is suspected, a specialist must be consulted immediately. Only in this way can the course of the change be assessed and (if necessary) a suitable treatment be initiated quickly.
