title: Cholesterol crystals in hydroceles: sonographic detection and possible significance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study of seven patients who had elective surgical repairs of a hydrocele was to try to differentiate by microscopy and chemical analysis hyperechoic hydrocele fluid from the more typical anechoic hydrocele fluid.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hyperechoic hydrocele fluid is related to the presence of cholesterol crystals. Cholesterol crystals were noted on microscopic examination in all three patients with hyperechoic hydrocele fluid. No cholesterol crystals were evident in the four patients with typical anechoic hydrocele fluid.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of California, San Francisco 94121, USA.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Gooding
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Leonhardt
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Seltzer
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Presti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism*; D003460:Crystallization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D006848:Testicular Hydrocele / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D002784:Cholesterol