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Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck: a rare differential diagnosis for an inguinal hernia

Badreya Khadim1, Dana AlNuaimi2, Shareefa Abdulghaffar1, Reem AlKetbi1

Affiliation and address for correspondence
J Ultrason 2024; 24: 7
DOI: 10.15557/JoU.2024.0007
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Abstract

Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck is a rare condition which is commonly misdiagnosed as an inguinal hernia due to the unfamiliarity of clinicians with this pathology. There are three different types of hydrocele of the canal of Nuck, with type 1 being the most common, typically presenting as a unilocular cystic lesion with no communication with the peritoneal cavity. We present a case of a two-month-old female patient with an enlarging inguinal swelling raising the suspicion for an inguinal hernia or lymphadenopathy, with sonographic imaging revealing a fluid collection in the canal of Nuck, suggestive of a hydrocele. Diagnostic radiology plays a crucial role in the initial diagnosis of a canal of Nuck hydrocele, and ultrasound is considered the modality of choice for early diagnosis differentiating it from other causes of inguinal swelling.

Keywords
hydrocele; canal of Nuck; inguinal swelling; processus vaginalis; pediatric radiology