Swelling in the scrotum

There are two types of benign swellings: a hydrocele and spermatocele.

Hydrocele

The testes are surrounded by membranes, between which some fluid is. With a hydrocele, the scrotum swollen by an increase in the fluid around the ball.
Swelling due to a hydrocele is usually small and soft to the touch. The swelling can be up to 15 cm in diameter and therefore annoying large. Sometimes there may be pain, especially when a lot of tension on the skin condition. The cause is often unknown, but an inflammation of the epididymis, an accident or previous surgery (eg sterilization) can lead to swelling. Exceptionally, a tumor of the ball behind the swelling lie. A cause of hydrocele usually is done to detect an ultrasound.

Spermatocele

Sperm are produced in the testes and develop further in the epididymis, which are located behind the testicle. The epididymis consists of many tiny tubes where sperm are collected. If there is a spermatocele is a tube (strong) dilated and filled with sperm cells (sperm cells can not transport by road does not go well). A dilation may be caused by an accident (eg a blow or tap) or by an infection, but often there is no obvious cause. To ensure that there is a spermatocele is an ultrasound done.
Most spermatoceles give little or no symptoms. A spermatocele, as with a hydrocele, are not cancerous, even if nothing is done to the spermatocele.


How can you recognize?

The swelling is palpable and visible. As mentioned, a hydrocele even more than 15 cm in diameter, but the swelling usually remains small. With a hydrocele testis is the accumulation of fluid inside and is not good to feel anymore. A spermatocele is usually swelling of the testicle to feel loose.

What is there to do?

Usually nothing needs to be done, these swellings. However, other diseases that need treatment are excluded. If the swelling should be treated yourself, people will choose to perform an operation. If the patient is a child, one is more reluctant to perform surgery in a spermatocele. This does not apply to a hydrocele swelling.
The operation is done with general anesthesia or partial anesthesia after an epidural. The procedure usually takes less than 30 minutes.

After the treatment there is often a blue coloration that goes away by itself. You must first week after surgery to take it easy, but you can usually feel the best that can and can not.
A hydrocele is a rare return. With a spermatocele is likely that some more.