Tension Hydrocele-How Point-of-care Ultrasound Helps in the Emergency Department: A Case Report
Division
Far West
Hospital
Riverside Community Hospital
Document Type
Case Report
Publication Date
8-1-2026
Keywords
POCUS, point-of-care ultrasound, tension hydrocele
Disciplines
Diagnosis | Emergency Medicine | Male Urogenital Diseases
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Tension hydrocele is a rare but serious complication that can threaten testicular viability. This case report describes how testicular point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) enabled timely recognition of a large hydrocele compromising testicular perfusion and guided management.
CASE REPORT: A 57-year-old male presented to the emergency department (ED) with painful right scrotal swelling. Testicular POCUS demonstrated a large hydrocele with reduced intratesticular blood flow. A scrotal centesis performed by the emergency physician led to symptom resolution and restoration of normal flow.
CONCLUSION: Testicular POCUS can rapidly identify impaired perfusion and guide scrotal centesis in the ED, a temporary yet potentially testis-saving intervention.
Publisher or Conference
Clinical Practice and Cases in Emergency Medicine
Recommended Citation
Potalivo S, Fornbacher S, Abadilla J, Goubert R, Hirashima ET. Tension Hydrocele-How Point-of-care Ultrasound Helps in the Emergency Department: A Case Report. Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med. 2026;10(3):350-353. doi:10.5811/cpcem.61719