Diseases and Conditions

Hydrocele

Diagnosis

Your doctor will start with a physical exam. It's likely to include:

  • Checking for tenderness in an enlarged scrotum.
  • Applying pressure to the abdomen and scrotum to check for inguinal hernia.
  • Shining a light through the scrotum (transillumination). If you or your child has a hydrocele, transillumination will show clear fluid surrounding the testicle.

After that, your doctor might recommend:

  • Blood and urine tests to help determine if you or your child has an infection, such as epididymitis
  • Ultrasound to help rule out hernia, testicular tumor or other causes of scrotal swelling

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