Hydrocele formation in patients with Hodgkin's disease

Hydroceles developed in 12 (7.7%) of 155 consecutive male patients who had Hodgkin's disease treated between 1962 and 1981. Except for one patient who had a hydrocele at diagnosis, all developed this complication during remission, 8 months to 7.5 years after inverted-Y or abdominopelvic 60Co irradiation (3000-3800 rad). Hydroceles were bilateral in five patients and on the right side in seven. No tumor was found in the hydrocele sacs of the ten patients who underwent hydrocelectomy. Lymphatic obstruction was evidenced by lymphatic dilation in the hernia sac in six patients. The authors believe postirradiation fibrosis of the lymphatic pathway was the main cause of hydrocele formation.