Abdominoscrotal hydrocele in childhood: is it really a rare entity?
OBJECTIVE
Abdominoscrotal hydrocele (ASH) is an apparently highly uncommon clinical entity especially in childhood, with only about 80 pediatric cases reported in the modern literature.


METHODS
The incidence, diagnosis, and treatment of ASH are discussed with reference to 9 cases observed at our institution and to cases in the literature.


RESULTS
Surgical correction was successful in all our cases and no hydrocele or hernia recurrence was registered.


CONCLUSIONS
ASH incidence appears to be higher than reported; undescended testis is a frequent association and surgical correction through an inguinal approach is always possible and curative. Ligation of the processus vaginalis may prevent recurrence.
Avolio
L
L
Divisione di Chirurgia Pediatrica, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
Chiari
G
G
Caputo
M A
MA
Bragheri
R
R
D000005:Abdomen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D012611:Scrotum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006848:Testicular Hydrocele / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D014463:Ultrasonography