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Doppler scan shows mid left hydrocele with loose scrotum. Is this normal?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Vinodhini J.

Published At May 31, 2020
Reviewed AtMay 31, 2020

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I went for Doppler scan because I feel a small tiny seed inside my scrotum sack. The scan says everything is normal. Nothing is found, testicles are fine but it says mid-left hydrocoele found. Doctor said, no need to worry and it is no cause for alarm and that I can drain it if it got bigger. I went home. After five days, I notice a swelling that is not round in shape and close to the left testicles. The urologist did another scan for scrotal Doppler. The report is the same as the first one. Only a left mid hydrocoele was found. The doctor said, he is surprised that the scan has not picked up varicoceles. Because he noticed left varicoceles when he feels it. I can feel the right varicocele is small than the left varicocele. He asked me to go to another hospital for a scan and mostly they should check for varicoceles. Surprisingly, the third Doppler scan for scrotal in another hospital seen nothing wrong, and the investigation was normal. The urologist says, since the three reports have picked up nothing and no varicoceles are found, he could not operate on it. That this is because the varicocele is not large enough to cause problem for the Doppler to see.

I asked the doctor whether I should go for a semen analysis to see if the semen is normal. He says that is a good suggestion to rule out every suspicious of varicocele and my sperm count is normal. I ask him about the swelling close to the testicles, he said, that is normal and I should relax and it will not affect my testicles. Do you think I should be relaxed about this? Is the doctor right? I have a very loose scrotum sack. Is this normal? The scrotum sack reduces in size only when I feel like using the toilet to pass out stools. Is this normal?

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I went through your detailed medical history and the reports you have mentioned here (attachment removed to protect patient identity).

To tell you the fact a small hydrocele is usually harmless but it has the tendency to increase in size gradually over a period of time at which point you might need surgery to help you.

If the Doppler scans are not showing the varicocele it might be at an initial stage. It is a good option to get your semen analysis done, this will help you to find out if there is any problem with your sperms but will not rule out the cause that is a varicocele.

It is advisable to get follow up Doppler at three months interval but I would not recommend surgery just yet, especially, if you have completed a family and you already have children.

Surgery is a necessity if your hydrocele increases in size and causes discomfort or a varicocele is found on the Doppler scan of the scrotum, or immediate surgery is advisable if your sperm count is low after ruling out other causes for a lower sperm count.

In the meantime, what you can do at home is to provide scrotal support. You can buy it at any pharmacy or if it is not available then you can wear tight underwear. These are just temporary measures until you can get all the tests done.

I hope this helps.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Naveed Ahmed Khan
Dr. Naveed Ahmed Khan

General Surgery

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