Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck: a case report with magnetic resonance hydrography findings

Abstract

Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck, also called the "female hydrocele," is a rare developmental disorder in females. This entity is now believed to be more common now in comparison with previous reports; however, it is still an unfamiliar problem for physicians. The processus vaginalis accompanies the round ligament through the inguinal canal into the labium majus. This evagination of the parietal peritoneum forms the canal of Nuck in the female. The canal of Nuck normally loses its connection with the peritoneal cavity during the first year of life, but can result in a hernia or hydrocele when the connection of the canal of Nuck fails to close. Here, we present the case of a 43-year-old female who complained of swelling in the right inguinal region. Coronal and axial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a cystic mass lesion with an irregular shape in the right inguinal region, and smaller cystic lesions extending alongside the right round ligament were also identified in the right side of the pelvic cavity. Magnetic resonance (MR) hydrography revealed the uninterrupted cystic lesion from the inguinal region to the pelvic cavity, with constrictions at the internal and external inguinal rings. These MR findings proved to be incredibly useful for surgical planning.