Pediatric Hydrocele of Canal of Nuck

  • Etiology: Aberrant closure of the processus vaginalis leading to patent processus vaginalis
  • Imaging: Anechoic fluid collection in inguinal canal
  • DDX: Lymphadenopathy
  • Complications: Herniation of bowel, mesenteric fat or omentum, ipsilateral ovary (in 15-20%) or uterus into the canal of Nuck leading to a canal of Nuck hernia
  • Treatment: Surgical repair
  • Clinical: Occurs in females

Radiology Cases of Hydrocele of Canal of Nuck

US of canal of Nuck hydrocele
Sagittal (above) and transvere (below) US images of the left inguinal canal show an oval, anechoic, non-peristalsing lesion in the left inguinal canal.

Radiology Cases of Hydrocele of Canal of Nuck With Canal of Nuck Hernia Containing Uterus and Ovary

US of canal of Nuck hernia containing uterus and ovary
Transverse US of the left inguinal canal (above) shows a uterus within the inguinal canal while a sagittal US (below) again shows the uterus in the superior inguinal canal and a cystic structure in the inferior inguinal canal.

Radiology Cases of Hydrocele of Canal of Nuck With Canal of Nuck Hernia Containing Omentum

US of hydrocele of canal Nuck
Sagittal US of the right inguinal canal while supine (above) shows thick linear abnormal echogenic material in the right inguinal canal which increases in amount as more of the echogenic material slides into the right inguinal canal on sagittal US of the right inguinal canal while standing (below).