Hydrocele of Canal of Nuck In an Adult Female: A Case Report

Abstract

Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck is a rare abnormality, developing in the protruded part of the parietal peritoneum within the inguinal canal in a female. It is homologous to the processus vaginalis in males and obliterates from the seventh month of gestation to one year of age. Failure of obliteration, results in Nuck hydrocele or herniation of intra-abdominal contents through the patent Canal of Nuck. These are usually detected and repaired in young girls within the first five years of life. Reports of Canal of Nuck hydrocele in adults are sparse. Most of these patients are misdiagnosed on clinical examination and correctly diagnosed intraoperatively during surgery for suspected ‘inguinal hernia’. Here, this case is about a 25-year-old female, who presented with swelling in the right groin for one month. Computed Tomography of the abdomen showed features suggestive of a hydrocele within the Canal of Nuck. She underwent laparoscopic hydrocelectomy and laparoscopic hernia repair via the transabdominal preperitoneal approach. This case report highlights the novel approach of laparoscopic management of this rare case.

Keywords

• encysted hyrdocele
• processus vaginalis
• round ligament