A serous fluid accumulated in the tunica vaginalis testis is called hydrocele testis. Its form seen in childhood is caused by an incompletely closed inguinal canal, through which the abdominal fluid oozes down into the scrotum. In its adult form the inguinal canal is closed; its cause may include an inflammation (primarily acute epididymitis), an impact affecting the testis, or surgery performed in the scrotal, inguinal region (e.g. herniotomy), but in the majority of cases the origin of the accumulation of serous fluid remains unknown.
III./4.2.: Symptomatology
Patients usually present themselves because of a painless enlargement of one half of their scrotum, which becomes uncomfortable after a while and hinders them in moving. The affected half of the scrotum may also be painful if the cause is inflammation or trauma, but pain may occur also in idiopathic cases due to the tension of the sheath.
