Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck--an old problem revisited

Herein the authors describe the case of a young woman presenting with a tender lump in her groin. Clinically the differential was of either a reactive lymph node or a femoral hernia. Ultrasound scan was urgently arranged and showed a cystic lesion. Surgical exploration was carried out and revealed this to be a hydrocele of the canal of Nuck. This was excised and the patient's symptoms resolved and she was discharged home the following day. We explore the embryology, pathophysiology and management of this rare entity.