At Norton Children’s Urology, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, our pediatric urologists are fellowship trained in pediatric and adolescent urology specialty care. They have the expertise to understand when hydrocele will resolve itself and when it needs treatment.

Our state-of-the-art equipment is not available elsewhere in Louisville. We also are able to provide sedation.

Our specialists bring skill, respect and sensitivity to caring for your child’s urological needs.

A hydrocele, sometimes referred to as swollen testicle, is a collection of fluid in the scrotum around the testicle.

Hydrocele is common in newborns and often disappears without treatment by age 1. Older boys and adult men also can develop a hydrocele.

Causes

A hydrocele can form before a baby is born. While a baby boy is developing in the womb, a canal allows the testicles to drop from the belly to the scrotum. The lining of this canal creates a sac that travels with the testicles. If the canal and sac don’t close, a hydrocele can form.

In older males, injury to the scrotum or inflammation due to infection can cause a hydrocele.

Hydroceles don’t always have symptoms, though swelling sometimes occurs in one or both testicles. Older boys might experience more discomfort due to swelling.

Treatment

A hydrocele is not serious and may subside without treatment, but evaluation is important. If a hydrocele does not disappear, it could develop into a scrotal hernia. Our team of doctors will provide careful monitoring of the condition. If a hydrocele does not disappear, hydrocele surgery — similar to hernia surgery — may be considered.