A varicocoele mimicking a hydrocoele in a man with portal hypertension: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Hydrocoele is a condition frequently encountered in adult urological practice. It is usually of benign aetiology and often diagnosed on clinical grounds. Surgical repair, if indicated, is generally straightforward.


METHODS
We report a 53-year-old man with liver cirrhosis and clinical features of a hydrocoele, in whom flow was demonstrated using Doppler ultrasonography in the fluid around the testis, which communicated via varices with the left renal vein.


CONCLUSIONS
In this patient with misleading clinical signs, diagnosis was established radiologically. Had surgery proceeded without this investigation, significant intra-operative bleeding would have been likely.
Yardy
George
G
Department of Urology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK. georgeyardy@doctors.org.uk
Rafique
Akkib
A
Sellers
Iain
I
Berman
Lawrence
L
Bullock
Nigel
N