Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck — an old problem revisited

Abstract

Herein the authors describe the case of a young woman presenting with a tender lump in her groin. Clinically the differential was of either a reactive lymph node or a femoral hernia. Ultrasound scan was urgently arranged and showed a cystic lesion. Surgical exploration was carried out and revealed this to be a hydrocele of the canal of Nuck. This was excised and the patient’s symptoms resolved and she was discharged home the following day. We explore the embryology, pathophysiology and management of this rare entity.

Keywords

canal of Nuck / hernia / embryology

References

[1] De Meulder F, Wojciechowski M, Hubens G, Ramet J. Female hydrocele of the canal of Nuck: a case report. Eur J Pediatr 2006; 165(3): 193–194

[2] Park SJ, Lee HK, Hong HS, Kim HC, Kim DH, Park JS, Shin EJ. Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck in a girl: ultrasound and MR appearance. Br J Radiol 2004; 77(915): 243–244

[3] Nuck A. Adenographia curiosa et uteri foeminei anatome nova. Leiden, 1691. 130

[4] Counseller VS, Black BM. Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck: report of seventeen cases. Ann Surg 1941; 113(4): 625–630

[5] Bunni J, Teichmann D, Berstock JR. Pouch of Douglas pelvic hernia: a rare entity managed laparoscopically. Hernia 2012; 16(5): 601–603

[6] Khanna PC, Ponsky T, Zagol B, Lukish JR, Markle BM. Sonographic appearance of canal of Nuck hydrocele. Pediatr Radiol 2007; 37(6): 603–606

[7] Miklos JR, Karram MM, Silver E, Reid R. Ultrasound and hookwire needle placement for localization of a hydrocele of the canal of Nuck. Obstet Gynecol 1995; 85(5 Pt 2): 884–886

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Higher Education Press and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg