A Mechanism for Chronic Filarial Hydrocele with Implications for Its Surgical Repair

John Owusu Gyapong,Joaquim Norões,Gerusa Dreyer

doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0000695

Abstract

BackgroundChronic hydrocele is the most common manifestation of bancroftian filariasis, an endemic disease in 80 countries. In a prospective study, we evaluated the occurrence of intrascrotal lymphangiectasia, gross appearance/consistency of the testis, and the efficacy of complete excision of hydrocele sac in patients living in a bancroftian filariasis endemic area who underwent hydrocelectomy at the Center for Teaching, Research and Tertiary Referral for Bancroftian Filariasis (NEPAF).Methodology/Principal FindingsA total of 968 patients with uni- or bilateral filarial hydrocele (Group-1) and a Comparison Group (CG) of 218 patients from the same area who already had undergone hydrocele-sac-sparing hydrocelectomy elsewhere were enrolled at NEPAF. Twenty-eight patients from the Comparison Group with hydrocele recurrence were re-operated on at NEPAF and constitute Group-2. In Group-1 a total of 1,128 hydrocelectomies were performed (mean patient age of 30.3yr and mean follow-up of 8.6yr [range 5.3–12]). The hydrocele recurrence rates in Group-1 and in the Comparison Group (mean age of 31.5 yr) were 0.3%, and 19.3%, respectively (p<0,001). There was no hydrocele recurrence in Group-2 (mean patient age of 25.1yr and mean follow-up of 6yr [range 5–6.9]). Per surgically leaking or leak-prone dilated lymphatic vessels were seen in the inner or outer surface of the hydrocele sac wall or in surrounding tissue, particularly in the retrotesticular area, in 30.9% and in 46.3% of patients in Group-1 and Group-2, respectively (p = 0.081). The testicles were abnormal in shape, volume, and consistency in 203/1,128 (18%) and 10/28 (35.7%) of patients from Group-1 and Group-2, respectively (p = 0,025).Conclusions/SignificanceLymph fluid from ruptured dilated lymphatic vessels is an important component of chronic filarial hydrocele fluid that threatens the integrity of the testis in an adult population living in bancroftian filariasis endemic areas. To avoid hydrocele recurrence the authors advise complete excision of hydrocele sac and when identified, leaking or leak-prone dilated lymphatic vessels should be sutured or excised.

Highlights

Bancroftian filariasis is a mosquito-borne parasitic disease that affects approximately 100 million persons worldwide
Chronic hydrocele is the accumulation of fluid around the testis leading to an increase in the volume of the scrotal contents
The prevalence of chronic hydrocele in bancroftian filariasis endemic areas—a parasitic disease transmitted by mosquito—is very high and represents the most common clinical manifestation of bancroftosis, following by swollen legs of lower limbs or lymphedema among women

Summary

Introduction

Bancroftian filariasis is a mosquito-borne parasitic disease that affects approximately 100 million persons worldwide. It is estimated that 40 million persons suffer from the chronic disfiguring manifestations of this disease, including 27 million men with testicular hydrocele, lymph scrotum, or elephantiasis of the scrotum. There is consensus that hydrocele is the most frequent clinical manifestation of bancroftian filariasis [2]. Few systematic studies of the prevalence or incidence of hydrocele in temperate climates have been published. There appears to be a difference between the hydrocele prevalence in temperate countries and tropical and subtropical ones. In locations where bancroftian filariasis is highly endemic, up to 40% of adult males are reported to have testicular hydrocele [4,5]. Chronic hydrocele is the most common manifestation of bancroftian filariasis, an endemic disease in 80 countries. We evaluated the occurrence of intrascrotal lymphangiectasia, gross appearance/ consistency of the testis, and the efficacy of complete excision of hydrocele sac in patients living in a bancroftian filariasis endemic area who underwent hydrocelectomy at the Center for Teaching, Research and Tertiary Referral for Bancroftian Filariasis (NEPAF)

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