Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck: a case report of an unusual disease

Background: Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck is a rare pathology with a prevalence of approximately 1% in females aged 0-16 years. Its prevalence in adults remains unknown. The condition develops due to persistent patency or failed obliteration of the canal of Nuck. Several factors may contribute to i...

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Main Authors: Bruna Suda-Rodrigues, Ma. Beatriz Ferraz-Cabral da Ponte, Márcio L. Duarte, Élcio R. Duarte
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Permanyer 2025-01-01
Series:Boletín Médico del Hospital Infantil de México
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Online Access:https://www.bmhim.com/frame_eng.php?id=475
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author Bruna Suda-Rodrigues
Ma. Beatriz Ferraz-Cabral da Ponte
Márcio L. Duarte
Élcio R. Duarte
author_facet Bruna Suda-Rodrigues
Ma. Beatriz Ferraz-Cabral da Ponte
Márcio L. Duarte
Élcio R. Duarte
author_sort Bruna Suda-Rodrigues
collection DOAJ
description Background: Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck is a rare pathology with a prevalence of approximately 1% in females aged 0-16 years. Its prevalence in adults remains unknown. The condition develops due to persistent patency or failed obliteration of the canal of Nuck. Several factors may contribute to its development, including lymphatic disorders, trauma, infection, inflammation, or idiopathic causes. Clinically, it presents as edema in the groin or genital region without additional symptoms. Ultrasonography is the preferred diagnostic modality for hydrocele of the canal of Nuck. Case report: We present the case of a 20-month-old female patient who presented with pain and a “lump” in the right inguinal region for 3 days. The patient was diagnosed with type 1 hydrocele of the canal of Nuck through ultrasonography, which was subsequently confirmed during surgery. The patient was discharged on the same day as the procedure and remains asymptomatic. Conclusions: Although rare, hydrocele of the canal of Nuck should be considered in the differential diagnosis of groin or genital region edema presenting without additional symptoms. Its diagnosis can be challenging due to several common differential diagnoses, including indirect inguinal hernia, tumors, cysts, abscesses, and lymphadenopathies, which occur more frequently. Therefore, ultrasonography plays a crucial role in evaluating these differential diagnoses and confirming the hydrocele of the canal of Nuck.
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spelling doaj-art-7f9c3ffd772b446eafd2bbc1502e26292025-08-20T01:58:00ZengPermanyerBoletín Médico del Hospital Infantil de México0539-61152025-01-0182110.24875/BMHIM.24000078Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck: a case report of an unusual diseaseBruna Suda-Rodrigues0Ma. Beatriz Ferraz-Cabral da Ponte1Márcio L. Duarte2Élcio R. Duarte3Department of Ultrasonography, Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Santos, Santos (SP), BrazilDepartment of Internal Medicine, Universidade Metropolitana de Santos, Santos (SP), BrazilDepartment of Radiology, Universidade de Ribeirão Preto – Campus Guarujá, Guarujá (SP); Department of Radiology, Diagnósticos da América S.A., São Paulo (SP); BrazilDepartment of Ultrasonography, Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Santos, Santos (SP), BrazilBackground: Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck is a rare pathology with a prevalence of approximately 1% in females aged 0-16 years. Its prevalence in adults remains unknown. The condition develops due to persistent patency or failed obliteration of the canal of Nuck. Several factors may contribute to its development, including lymphatic disorders, trauma, infection, inflammation, or idiopathic causes. Clinically, it presents as edema in the groin or genital region without additional symptoms. Ultrasonography is the preferred diagnostic modality for hydrocele of the canal of Nuck. Case report: We present the case of a 20-month-old female patient who presented with pain and a “lump” in the right inguinal region for 3 days. The patient was diagnosed with type 1 hydrocele of the canal of Nuck through ultrasonography, which was subsequently confirmed during surgery. The patient was discharged on the same day as the procedure and remains asymptomatic. Conclusions: Although rare, hydrocele of the canal of Nuck should be considered in the differential diagnosis of groin or genital region edema presenting without additional symptoms. Its diagnosis can be challenging due to several common differential diagnoses, including indirect inguinal hernia, tumors, cysts, abscesses, and lymphadenopathies, which occur more frequently. Therefore, ultrasonography plays a crucial role in evaluating these differential diagnoses and confirming the hydrocele of the canal of Nuck. https://www.bmhim.com/frame_eng.php?id=475Ultrasonography. Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck. Diagnosis. Case report.
spellingShingle Bruna Suda-Rodrigues
Ma. Beatriz Ferraz-Cabral da Ponte
Márcio L. Duarte
Élcio R. Duarte
Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck: a case report of an unusual disease
Boletín Médico del Hospital Infantil de México
Ultrasonography. Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck. Diagnosis. Case report.
title Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck: a case report of an unusual disease
title_full Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck: a case report of an unusual disease
title_fullStr Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck: a case report of an unusual disease
title_full_unstemmed Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck: a case report of an unusual disease
title_short Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck: a case report of an unusual disease
title_sort hydrocele of the canal of nuck a case report of an unusual disease
topic Ultrasonography. Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck. Diagnosis. Case report.
url https://www.bmhim.com/frame_eng.php?id=475
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