The diagnostic journey: right groin swelling in a young female revealing canal of Nuck hydrocele.

Abstract

Canal of Nuck hydrocele represents a rare anatomical entity in female patients and is predominantly documented in pediatric populations. This condition arises from incomplete obliteration of the processus vaginalis during embryogenesis. A 23-year-old female presented with a 3-week history of right groin pain and swelling. Physical examination revealed a small right inguinal swelling with a positive cough impulse. Subsequent imaging demonstrated a cystic lesion extending through the right inguinal canal without evidence of bowel or omental herniation. The patient underwent elective diagnostic laparoscopy with hydrocelectomy and mesh hernioplasty. The postoperative course was uneventful with complete symptom resolution and benign histopathological findings. This case contributes to the growing literature documenting adult presentations of canal of Nuck hydrocele. Our findings suggest that this condition should be included in the differential diagnosis of inguinal masses in adult females. The successful management through laparoscopic approach demonstrates the efficacy of this minimally invasive surgical strategy.