When a Hydrocele Is Not Just a Hydrocele: Case Report and Literature Review
When hydrocele is not just a hydrocele
Keywords:
Rhabdomyosarcoma, Paratesticular Tumour, Paediatric, Testicular TumourAbstract
Introduction: Paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a rare solid tumour in children, accounting for approximately 8.4% of all scrotal masses. Its clinical presentation is often nonspecific, making early diagnosis challenging.
Methods: The study began with a comprehensive review of the patient's medical documentation. Subsequently, a literature search was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar, employing the keywords paratesticular, rhabdomyosarcoma, children, and testicular tumour to identify relevant studies.
Case report: We present the case of an 18-month-old boy with a history of right-sided hydrocele, referred due to painless scrotal enlargement. Imaging revealed a solid mass closely associated with the testis. Tumour markers AFP and β-hCG were within normal range, with elevated LDH. Right orchiectomy was performed. Histopathological and genetic analysis confirmed embryonal RMS. The patient received oncological therapy and remains in good health at follow-up.
Conclusion: Paratesticular RMS may mimic benign conditions such as hydrocele. It should be included in the differential diagnosis of persistent or recurrent scrotal enlargement in children.
References
Nerli RB, Ajay G, Shivangouda P, Pravin P, Reddy M, Pujar VC. Prepubertal testicular tumors: our 10 years experience. Indian J Cancer. 2010;47(3):292-5.
Ross JH, Rybicki L, Kay R. Clinical behavior and a contemporary management algorithm for prepubertal testis tumors: a summary of the Prepubertal Testis Tumor Registry. J Urol. 2002;168(4 Pt 2):1675-8; discussion 1678-9.
Li Z, Zhang W, Song H, Sun N. Testis-Preserving Tumor Enucleation Is Applicable in Children with Immature Testicular Teratoma. Urol Int. 2021;105(1-2):27-30.
Singh P, Anandani G, Parmar R. Primary paratesticular embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma - An unusual presentation. J Family Med Prim Care. 2023;12(9):2176-80.
Harel M, Ferrer FA, Shapiro LH, Makari JH. Future directions in risk stratification and therapy for advanced pediatric genitourinary rhabdomyosarcoma. Urol Oncol. 2016;34:103–15.
Dangle PP, Correa A, Tennyson L, Gayed B, Reyes-Múgica M, Ost M. Current management of paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma. Urol Oncol. 2016;34(2):84-92.
Raney RB, Maurer HM, Anderson JR, Andrassy RJ, Donaldson SS, Qualman SJ, Wharam MD, Wiener ES, Crist WM. The Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study Group (IRSG): Major Lessons From the IRS-I Through IRS-IV Studies as Background for the Current IRS-V Treatment Protocols. Sarcoma. 2001;5(1):9-15.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Ulus Medical Journal
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
