Hydrocele of Canal of Nuck - Role of Radiological Imaging

Devi Shanker Malik^1*, Mahipal Singh², Nisha Aurora³, B S Dhakad⁴

¹Director, General and Laparoscopic Surgery, Eternal Hospital, Jaipur, India

²Director and HOD, Radiology, Eternal Hospital Jaipur, India

³Sr. Consultant, Radiology, Eternal Hospital, Jaipur, India

⁴SMO, General and Laparoscopic Surgery, Eternal Hospital Jaipur, India

^*Corresponding Author: Devi Shanker Malik, Director, General and Laparoscopic Surgery, Eternal Hospital, Jaipur, India

Received: 01 October 2022; Accepted: 17 October 2022; Published: 04 November 2022

1. Introduction

The canal of Nuck was first described by the Dutch anatomist Anton Nuck in 1691. The hydrocele of canal of Nuck, also called as female hydrocele or the cyst of canal of Nuck is a very rare condition. Canal of nuck in females is homologous to a patent processus vaginalis in males which also predispose to indirect inguinal hernia and hydrocele of spermatic cord.  Thus hydrocele of canal of nuck in females is equivalent to encysted hydrocele of cord in males [1]. The canal of Nuck is normally obliterated in the first year of life but failure to achieve complete obliteration results in an indirect inguinal hernia or hydrocele of canal of nuck. The fluid in the hydrocele of canal of nuck is likely due to imbalance of the secretion and absorption of the secretary membrane lining the processus vaginalis. Usually, it is idiopathic but sometimes trauma or infection may cause disruption of lymphatic drainage which may lead to imbalance.

2. Clinical presentation

Hydrocele of the canal of nuck typically presents as a painless swelling in the inguinolabial region. If the bulge is apparent in standing position and disappears while supine, a hernia is more plausible [2]. Hydroceles can be painful and cause a red swelling extending to the labia major in case of infection.

3. Pathophysiology

During foetal development in females there is evagination of the parietal peritoneum along the round ligament, through the inguinal ring, and into the inguinal canal just like processus vaginalis in males. This portion of processus vaginalis within the inguinal canal in women is called the ‘Canal of Nuck’. If the processus vaginalis does not close, it is referred to as a patent processus vaginalis. If the patent processus vaginalis is small and only allows fluid to pass, the condition will lead to peritoneal fluid accumulation or a (communicating) hydrocele. If the patent processus vaginalis is larger and allows abdominal organs to protrude, the condition is referred to as hernia [3,4]. 

The fluid in the hydrocele of canal of nuck is likely due to imbalance of the secretion and absorption of the secretary membrane lining the processus vaginalis. Usually, it is idiopathic but sometimes trauma or infection may cause disruption of lymphatic drainage which may lead to imbalance.

4. Classification of Hydrocele of the Canal of The Nuck

Classification of hydrocele of the canal of Nuck has been described as follows [3]:

4.1 Type 1:

An encysted hydrocele is a kind of cyst that develops as a consequence of partial obliteration of just the proximal portion of the canal of nuck. Typical clinical presentation is a nonreducible, painless mass whose volume remains unchanged when the Valsalva maneuver is performed [4]. When there is an imbalance between fluid secretion and absorption, which can occur as a result of trauma, inflammation, or lymphatic drainage impairment, the cyst can abruptly grow in size [5]. Within a closed cyst, an infection might develop following a slight trauma or intracystic hemorrhage. The patient may complain of a painful mass that is mistaken for an incarcerated hernia [6].

4.2 Type 2:

A communicating hydrocele. This pathology occurs from the patency of the canal of nuck. It appears as a non-tender reducible mass that may only arise after performing the Valsalva maneuver or standing.

4.3 Type 3:

A combined type. The lesion has an encysted inferior section in the inguinal canal and labia majora, as well as an upper intraabdominal portion. The hydrocele is compressed by the deep inguinal ring, creating an hourglass appearance.

5. Radiographic Features

Various radiographic modalities, including MRI, CT, and US can be used individually or in combination to diagnose canal of nuck hydrocele.  Sonography proves to be a very powerful tool in elucidating the features of the hydrocele, especially in comparison to hernias. Ultrasonography can be initial imaging because of its low cost and wide availability, MRI could be used for complex cases and further investigations [7], because MRI can give more precise images including septations and a communication between cystic lesion and the peritoneal cavity and information on the anatomical relations with adjacent structures.

5.1 Ultrasound

Typically presents as a cystic mass lying superficially and medially to the pubic bone at the level of the superficial inguinal ring [8]. There should be no change with the Valsalva maneuver. Ultrasound is particularly useful because of its “real-time” nature and ability to precisely depict superficial structures. Ultrasound is an excellent technique to help exclude the presence of bowel in the swelling as seen in an inguinal hernia.

5.2 Computed Tomography Scan

Literature on CT findings for this condition is scarce. The usual CT findings of hydrocele are as follows:

1. Homogeneous fluid-filled unilocular cyst, extending to the labia
2. The inguinal canal communication may not be identified on CT

5.3 Magnetic Resonance Imaging

MR showed a thin-walled tense cystic mass in the inguinal area. 

In most, cases hydroceles are described to have a thin wall but sometimes the hydrocele may be thick-walled cystic appearance due to infection; the proximal part of the lesion is extending into the peritoneal cavity along the route of the round ligament; the distal part is blunt and extending towards the labium majus. The wall of the hydrocele may show mild contrast enhancement, especially when infected. 

6. Treatment

Surgery (Open/Laparoscopic) is the treatment of choice for Hydrocele of canal of Nuck. To give advantages of minimal invasive surgery, laparoscopic excision of hydrocele of canal of Nuck on both sides with transabdominal preperitoneal repair was done in our cases.

7. Differential Diagnosis

Swelling of the inguinal region in a female may also result from a number of other conditions such as Inguinal hernia (usually hernial sac with bowel content instead of fluid), Tumor (lipoma, leiomyoma, sarcoma), Round ligament varicosities, Cyst, Abscess, Lymphadenopathy.

8. Case Presentation

8.1 Case 1:

A 45-years-old lady presented in OPD with swelling in bilateral inguino-labial region for last three months. There was no history of Diabetes, hypertension, any cardiac ailment, urinary tract infection, trauma or any infection in this region. On examination: The swellings were globular, cystic in consistency, not tender, about 4 cm × 2 cm on left side and 3 cm × 2 cm on right side. Her USG showed lobulated, thick-walled cystic lesions, few of which showing internal echos, seen in bilarteral inguinal regions measuring approximately 20 mm × 28 mm on left side and 18 mm × 34 mm on right side? Lymphangioma/Round ligament Cyst. MRI showed lobulated tubular fluid signal intensity lesions in left pelvic inguinolabial and right inguinolabial regions extending along the round ligaments suggestive of hydrocele of canal of nuck/Mesothelial cysts of the round ligament. Laparoscopic excision of hydrocele of canal of nuck on both sides with transabdominal preperitoneal repair was done. Her histo-pathological report revealed loose connective tissue with mesothelial lining with mild chronic inflammatory infiltrate, congestion of blood vessels and fibrosis suggestive of bilateral hydrocele of canal of nuck (Figure 1).

Figure 1: MRI of Case 1 showing bilateral hydrocele of canal of nuck.

8.2 Case 2:

A 35-years-old lady presented in OPD with swelling left Inguino-labial region for last 4-5 months. Earlier 2 ml fluid was aspirated from it for FNAC. There is no history of DM, HT or any cardiac ailment. She is a known case of Hyperthyroidism. On examination it was a diffuse (not very prominent because size has reduced after aspiration) cystic swelling in left inguino-labial region. USG showed left sided inguinal cystic mass of 1.6 cm × 0.8 cm size with clear fluid inside and no communication with the peritoneum. There was no change with the Valselva maneuver. Most likely Hydrocele of canal of nuck. FNAC shows average cellular smear predominantly acellular necrotic material along with cyst macrophages and inflammatory cells-suggestive of cystic nature of swelling MRI Pelvis showed fluid in the inguinal canal from deep to superficial inguinal ring-possibility of Hydrocele of canal of Nuck. Laparoscopic exicision of Hydrocele of canal of nuck along with mesh repair was done. Histopathology showed loose connective tissue with congested blood vessels and denuded ill-defined mesothelial lining. Focal mild chronic infiltrate, fibrosis and edema suggestive of hydrocele of canal of nuck.

Figure 2: MRI of case 2 showing left hydrocele of canal of nuck.

9. Discussion

The canal of nuck was first described by a Dutch Anatomist Anton Nuck in 1691. The processus vaginalis in females is known as canal of nuck. The homologous structure in men is called the processus vaginalis [9]. Hydrocele of canal of Nuck should always be considered in differential diagnosis of inguinal swelling in females along with hernia, lymphadenopathy, abscess, cyst, tumors like Lipoma, Liposarcoma, neurofibroma sarcoma, hematoma [10,11]. Hydrocele of canal of nuck is usually painless but sometimes symptoms can be acute or chronic and infections of the hydrocele are also possible. Ultrasonography can be initial imaging because of its low cost and wide availability, MRI could be used for complex cases and further investigations [7] because MRI can give 123 more precise images including septations and a communication between cystic lesion and the peritoneal cavity and information on the anatomical relations with adjacent structures [12-17]. The hydrocelectomy with mesh repair is the treatment of choice.

10. Conclusion

Hydrocele of canal of nuck, although very rare, should always be considered in differential diagnosis of inguinal swelling in females along with hernia, lymphadenopathy, abscess, cyst, tumors like Lipoma, Liposarcoma, neurofibroma sarcoma, hematoma.

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