Hydrocele of The Canal of Nuck in an Adult Female: A Case Report

Abstract

In females, the round ligament connects the uterine cornu to the vulva at one end and traverses the inguinal canal at the other. The canal of Nuck is a small patent pouch of parietal peritoneum that runs along the length of this ligament. The canal of Nuck gets entirely obliterated during the first year of life, and the inability to do so might result in a hydrocele or an inguinal hernia. Hydrocele of the canal of the Nuck is difficult to diagnose because the diagnosis is rarely made solely on the basis of clinical signs. However, the results of a preoperative USG might be helpful. The information and knowledge regarding hydrocele of the canal of Nuck is limited, so this case report will benefit the existing literature. Keywords: Hydrocele of the Canal of Nuck, Round ligament, Inguinal Swelling

Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck: a rare differential diagnosis for an inguinal hernia

“…Clinically, a hydrocele of the canal of Nuc k may appear as a painless or uncomfortable fluctuating inguinal lump with no accompanying nausea or vomiting ( 7 ) . According to an analysis of 105 cases, a hydrocele of the canal of Nuck most frequently develops on the right side, and it is typically non-tender, non-reducible, and mobile ( 5 ) .…”

“…High-resolution sonographic imaging demonstrates its supremacy in accessing superficial structures ( 2 ) . A well-defined unilocular or multilocular, anechoic or hypoechoic lesion with posterior acoustic enhancement is the typical presentation of a hydrocele of the canal of Nuck ( 2 , 7 ) . With hydrocele complications such as infection or bleeding, the lesion may appear as a complicated cyst with echogenic contents, thicker wall, and internal septations ( 2 ) .…”

“…Surgical management options include open or laparoscopic procedures for symptomatic patients or in complicated cysts with removal of the hydrocele and closure of the neck of the processus vaginalis at the deep ring. Patients who refuse surgery may have the cystic fluid aspirated but the risk of recurrence is high ( 1 , 7 , 8 ) . Infection and abscess formation are possible hydrocele-related complications ( 5 ) .…”