HYDROCELE OF THE CANAL OF NUCK WITH COMMA-SHAPED ARTISTIC VIEW IN AN ADULT FEMALE: A CASE REPORT
Formerly Published in Vol. 12 No. 1 Jan. - Jun., 2025
Keywords:
Hydrocoele, Canal of Nuck, Comma-shaped artistic view, Adult femaleAbstract
Background: Hydrocoele of the canal of Nuck in adult female is a rare, fluid-filled cyst caused by a persistent processus vaginalis (unclosed embryonic structure), resulting in a painless groin swelling and can be mistaken for inguinal hernia, lymphadenopathy, or other tumours, and is capable of causing severe anxiety especially when it is huge, infected or coexisting with hernia which can cause pain and may require emergency surgery.
Objective: To report a case of hydrocoele of the canal of Nuck in adult female
Methodology: Ethics were maintained.
Case Report: A 31year old single nullipara, Christian, Igbo by tribe, teacher with tertiary education, presented to the outpatient gynaecological clinic of our hospital on 22/04/2025 with a complaint of painless swelling on left groin of 4 years duration which occasionally resolves spontaneously and reappears episodically. The mass had not been present in infancy or adolescence. She had not sought for medical care because of the mass previously. On examination, she looked anxious, vital signs and abdomen were normal, a 6 x 4 cm left cystic non tender mass emanating from the upper border of the labia majora was noted. A diagnosis of hydrocoele of canal of Nuck was made and she was counseled and surgical treatment of the hydrocoele done with good outcome.
Conclusion: Hydrocoele of the canal of Nuck in adult female is rare, can cause severe anxiety, may be mistaken for other differentials, but is easily surgically treatable with good outcome.
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References
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