Giant Communicating Hydrocele in a 36‑Year‑Old Nigerian Man

Abstract

Hydrocele can be defined as an abnormal collection of fluid within the tunica vaginalis of the scrotum or along the spermatic cord. Giant hydroceles contain over 1 L of fluid and are rare. Communicating hydrocele, which occurs due to abnormal persistence of patency of the processus vaginalis (PV), is usually found in infants. This patency has been known to persist in some adults usually giving rise to an indirect inguinal hernia if symptomatic. Very rarely may also be a cause of hydrocele in adults. We managed a 36-year-old man who had a recurrent left scrotal swelling. High ligation of the left patent PV was done and 1.1 L of scrotal fluid collection drained. Giant hydrocele from communicating hydrocele is very rare. A communicating hydrocele should be considered as a differential diagnosis in an adult who develops a recurrence following open drainage of a hydrocele. Health education and improvements in standards of living will prevent communicating hydrocele from developing into giant hydrocele.

Keywords: Communicating hydrocele, giant hydrocele, patent processus vaginalis, scrotal swelling