Hydrocele of the Canal of Nuck with Endometriosis: Right-Side Dominance Confirmed by Literature Review and Statistical Analysis.
1. IntroductionEmbryologically, in female, the parietal peritoneum extends into the inguinal canal and the labium majus accompanying the round ligament of the uterus; however, it usually obliterates completely within the first year of life. When it fails to obliterate, the structure is called the canal of Nuck, named after a Dutch anatomist Anton Nuck who described the first case in 1691 [1]. The canal of Nuck is an uncommon anomaly which is analogous to patent processus vaginalis in male, and it can cause a hydrocele or an indirect inguinal hernia depending on the diameter of the canal. Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck (HCN) is occasionally confused with inguinal hernia as they both typically present as a painless groin mass. However, unlike inguinal hernia, HCN does not contain bowel or fat; Doppler ultrasonography is considered useful for the diagnosis [2].
Endometriosis is a common gynecologic disorder accounting for 6 to 10% of the general female population, and it is characterized by the presence of endometrial-like epithelium and stroma outside the endometrium. The peritoneum and pelvic organs are well-known sites of endometriosis being the cause of chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, and infertility, yet distant locations such as pleura can also be affected potentially triggering catamenial pneumothorax [3].
Rarely, endometriosis is discovered in HCN. Several authors have suggested that HCN with endometriosis (EM-HCN) tends to occur more on the right side and presents with pain compared to those without endometriosis (non-EM-HCN) [4-8]. However, a thorough review has never been performed. Here, we report a case of EM-HCN with a review of the literature and aim to prove the right-side dominance by statistical analysis for the first time.
2. Case Presentation
The patient is a 45-year-old woman without any particular medical history. She noticed a left inguinal mass a week before and visited our hospital because of persistent pain. The patient did not recall any episode of trauma. On examination, the mass was firm, smooth, and irreducible. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) displayed a 30 mm cystic mass in the subcutis of the left inguinal region which does not communicate with the peritoneum (Figures 1(a)-1(c)). Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck was suspected. The mass was excised and submitted for a pathological study.
Macroscopically, it was a cyst with a dark brown surface containing yellow-tan serous fluid (Figure 2(a)). The cyst wall was smooth and thin, and no solid component was identified. Microscopically, the cyst was lined by single-layered flat cells which were considered as mesothelium; it was a typical morphology of HCN. However, a few glands of columnar cells accompanied by round monotonous cells that were considered as endometrial tissue were also identified beneath the mesothelium in several areas as well as hemorrhage and hemosiderin-laden macrophages (Figures 2(b)-2(d)).
In immunohistochemistry, single-layered flat cells were positive for calretinin, podoplanin, and Wilms' tumor 1 (WT-1) (Figures 3(a)-3(c)). Columnar cells were positive for estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) (Figures 3(d) and 3(e)). Round monotonous cells were positive for ER, PR, CD10, and WT-1 (Figures 3(d)-3(f) and 3(a)). These results were consistent with mesothelium and endometrial tissue, respectively.
Based on the histology and the result of immunohistochemistry, the mass was diagnosed with EM-HCN. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged two days after the operation. No sign of recurrence was observed in the follow-up after three weeks.
3. Review of the Literature and Statistical Analysis
We reviewed English-reported cases of both EM-HCN and non-EM-HCN that were published in 2000 or later [6-32]. Only cases of reproductive age (age: 15-49) reported with definite pathological diagnosis were included. Cases complicated with infection or neoplasm were excluded. The reviewed cases are summarized in Table 1.
Out of 25 cases of EM-HCN including our case (age: 2046, mean: 34.6), 21 cases (84%) occurred on the right side. In contrast, out of 28 cases of non-EM-HCN (age: 17-45, mean: 34.0), only 16 cases (57%) occurred on the right side (Table 2). Using Fisher's exact test, we discovered that EM-HCN dominantly occurred on the right side compared to non-EM-HCN with a significant difference (84% vs. 57%, p = 0.041). The analysis was performed with EZR (Saitama Medical Centre, Jichi Medical University, Saitama, Japan) [33].
4. Discussion
Right-side dominance of the inguinal endometriosis has been suggested by several authors reporting that 86-90% occurred on the right side [4, 5]. Nevertheless, statistical analysis has never been attempted.
So far, two theories are proposed as the pathogenesis of endometriosis: one is the metaplasia of coelomic epithelium and the other is the retrograde menstruation of endometrial tissue through fallopian tubes [3]. The former theory cannot logically explain the dominance of the right-sided EM-HCN; however, based on the latter theory, Candiani et al. introduced an idea that the clockwise flow of the ascites makes the right side more susceptible to endometrial implants and left side protected by the sigmoid colon [5]. This idea is adopted from catamenial pneumothorax in which 87.5 to 100% of the cases are reported on the right side [34].
Regarding the pain, either discomfort or pain was reported in 12 cases (48%) of EM-HCN and 7 cases (25%) of non-EM-HCN. EM-HCNs tend to present with pain more as it has been suggested in the past. However, we could not analyze these cases as the status of pain was not reported in 15 cases (33%).
Among EM-HCNs, catamenial symptom such as pain and change of size were present in 7 cases (28%), absent in 16 cases (64%), and not reported in 2 cases (8%). Interestingly, catamenial symptom was not reported in any of the non-EM-HCN indicating that the presence of catamenial symptom may help a clinician suspect the complication of endometriosis.
Also, MRI is considered useful in detecting endometriosis in the ovary and HCN typically showing high signal intensity on T1-weighted image and shading sign on T2-weighted image [7]. Nevertheless, in our case, MRI showed non-EMHCN pattern, reflecting the nature of the fluid, and could not detect endometriosis preoperatively. The sensitivity of MRI is also discussed by some authors highlighting the significance of pathological examination [8, 28].
In addition, out of 25 cases of EM-HCN, pelvic endometriosis was discovered in 10 cases (40%). Thus, it is important to inform the clinician the possibility of pelvic endometriosis when EM-HCN is revealed pathologically. This is especially important because patients with HCN are frequently referred to a general surgeon and not a gynecologist after initially being diagnosed with hernia.
5. Conclusion
We reported a rare case of EM-HCN with a review of the literature and statistically confirmed that EM-HCNs dominantly occur on the right side compared to non-EM-HCNs for the first time. This supports the theory that endometriosis derives from retrograde menstruation of endometrial tissue through fallopian tubes.
Endometriosis in HCN can be identified pathologically even if it is absent in MRI. When endometriosis is discovered in HCN, the clinician should be aware of the possibility of pelvic endometriosis.
https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/2567267
Conflicts of Interest
The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
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Shunsuke Nagase [ID], (1) Kanako Ogura, (1) Karin Ashizawa, (1) Asumi Sakaguchi, (1) Ryo Wada, (2) and Toshiharu Matsumoto (1)
(1) Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, 3-1-10 Takanodai, Nerima, Tokyo, Japan
(2) Department of Pathology, Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital, 1129 Nagaoka, Izunokuni, Shizuoka, Japan
Correspondence should be addressed to Shunsuke Nagase; s-nagase@juntendo.ac.jp
Received 13 April 2020; Accepted 13 April 2020; Published 5 May 2020
Academic Editor: Hiroko Kuwabara
Caption: Figure 1: (a) CT displaying a 30 mm low-density mass in the left inguinal region. (b) Fat-suppressed T2-weighted MRI displaying a subcutaneous mass with homogeneous high-intensity signal. (c) Gadolinium-enhanced fat-suppressed T1-weighted MRI revealing a well-circumscribed cystic mass with a thin wall.
Caption: Figure 2: (a) Macroscopic image of the mass containing yellow-tan serous fluid. (b) Several foci of endometriosis (orange arrows) beside the cyst (blue arrow). (c) Endometrial-like epithelium and stroma accompanying hemorrhage and hemosiderin-laden macrophages. (d) Endometriosis beneath single-layered mesothelium in high-power field.
Caption: Figure 3: (a) Calretinin; (b) podoplanin; (c) WT-1; (d) ER; (e) PR; (f) CD10.
Table 1: Literature review of EM-HCN and non-EM-HCN.
Endometriosis Author Year Age
(-) (non-EM-HCN) Yen et al. 2001 33
Yen et al. 2001 28
Yen et al. 2001 23
Khanna et al. 2007 17
Ozel et al. 2009 38
Caviezel et al. 2009 28
Jagdale et al. 2012 35
Bunni et al. 2013 38
Kono et al. 2015 43
Heer et al. 2015 31
Patnum et al. 2016 38
Ferreira et al. 2017 23
Heng et al. 2018 31
Aalberg et al. 2018 44
Aalberg et al. 2018 46
Chihara et al. 2019 38
Yen et al. 2001 45
Yen et al. 2001 37
Yen et al. 2001 26
Wei et al. 2002 26
Bhattacharjee et al. 2006 24
Qureshi et al. 2014 28
Pandey et al. 2014 42
Matsumoto et al. 2014 37
Topal et al. 2018 42
Aalberg et al. 2018 40
Aalberg et al. 2018 37
Lucas et al. 2019 33
(+) (EM-HCN) Cervini et al. 2005 31
Kirkpatrick et al. 2006 41
Bagul et al. 2011 43
Jimenez et al. 2011 35
Okoshi et al. 2017 44
Niitsu et al. 2019 38
Niitsu et al. 2019 25
Niitsu et al. 2019 31
Niitsu et al. 2019 40
Niitsu et al. 2019 44
Niitsu et al. 2019 36
Niitsu et al. 2019 20
Niitsu et al. 2019 38
Gaeta et al. 2010 22-46 (mean 30)
Wang et al. 2009 35
Niitsu et al. 2019 43
Niitsu et al. 2019 35
Current case 2020 45
Endometriosis Author Side
(-) (non-EM-HCN) Yen et al. R
Yen et al. R
Yen et al. R
Khanna et al. R
Ozel et al. R
Caviezel et al. R
Jagdale et al. R
Bunni et al. R
Kono et al. R
Heer et al. R
Patnum et al. R
Ferreira et al. R
Heng et al. R
Aalberg et al. R
Aalberg et al. R
Chihara et al. R
Yen et al. L
Yen et al. L
Yen et al. L
Wei et al. L
Bhattacharjee et al. L
Qureshi et al. L
Pandey et al. L
Matsumoto et al. L
Topal et al. L
Aalberg et al. L
Aalberg et al. L
Lucas et al. L
(+) (EM-HCN) Cervini et al. R
Kirkpatrick et al. R
Bagul et al. R
Jimenez et al. R
Okoshi et al. R
Niitsu et al. R
Niitsu et al. R
Niitsu et al. R
Niitsu et al. R
Niitsu et al. R
Niitsu et al. R
Niitsu et al. R
Niitsu et al. R
Gaeta et al. R : L= 8 : 0
Wang et al. L
Niitsu et al. L
Niitsu et al. L
Current case L
Endometriosis Author Pain/discomfort
(-) (non-EM-HCN) Yen et al. (-)
Yen et al. (-)
Yen et al. (-)
Khanna et al. (+)
Ozel et al. NR
Caviezel et al. (-)
Jagdale et al. (+)
Bunni et al. (+)
Kono et al. (-)
Heer et al. (-)
Patnum et al. (-)
Ferreira et al. (-)
Heng et al. NR
Aalberg et al. NR
Aalberg et al. (+)
Chihara et al. (-)
Yen et al. (-)
Yen et al. (-)
Yen et al. (-)
Wei et al. (+)
Bhattacharjee et al. (-)
Qureshi et al. (+)
Pandey et al. (-)
Matsumoto et al. (-)
Topal et al. NR
Aalberg et al. NR
Aalberg et al. NR
Lucas et al. (+)
(+) (EM-HCN) Cervini et al. (+)
Kirkpatrick et al. NR
Bagul et al. (+)
Jimenez et al. (+)
Okoshi et al. (+)
Niitsu et al. NR
Niitsu et al. NR
Niitsu et al. NR
Niitsu et al. (+)
Niitsu et al. NR
Niitsu et al. (+)
Niitsu et al. NR
Niitsu et al. NR
Gaeta et al. (+): (-) =4 : 4
Wang et al. (+)
Niitsu et al. NR
Niitsu et al. NR
Current case (+)
Endometriosis Author Pelvic endometriosis
(-) (non-EM-HCN) Yen et al. NR
Yen et al. NR
Yen et al. NR
Khanna et al. NR
Ozel et al. NR
Caviezel et al. NR
Jagdale et al. NR
Bunni et al. NR
Kono et al. NR
Heer et al. NR
Patnum et al. NR
Ferreira et al. NR
Heng et al. NR
Aalberg et al. NR
Aalberg et al. NR
Chihara et al. NR
Yen et al. NR
Yen et al. NR
Yen et al. NR
Wei et al. NR
Bhattacharjee et al. NR
Qureshi et al. NR
Pandey et al. NR
Matsumoto et al. NR
Topal et al. NR
Aalberg et al. NR
Aalberg et al. NR
Lucas et al. NR
(+) (EM-HCN) Cervini et al. (-)
Kirkpatrick et al. NR
Bagul et al. (-)
Jimenez et al. (-)
Okoshi et al. (+)
Niitsu et al. (-)
Niitsu et al. (-)
Niitsu et al. (-)
Niitsu et al. (-)
Niitsu et al. (-)
Niitsu et al. (-)
Niitsu et al. (-)
Niitsu et al. (-)
Gaeta et al. (+): (-) = 8 : 0
Wang et al. (+)
Niitsu et al. (-)
Niitsu et al. (-)
Current case (-)
Endometriosis Author Catamenial symptom
(-) (non-EM-HCN) Yen et al. NR
Yen et al. NR
Yen et al. NR
Khanna et al. NR
Ozel et al. NR
Caviezel et al. NR
Jagdale et al. NR
Bunni et al. NR
Kono et al. NR
Heer et al. NR
Patnum et al. NR
Ferreira et al. NR
Heng et al. NR
Aalberg et al. NR
Aalberg et al. NR
Chihara et al. NR
Yen et al. NR
Yen et al. NR
Yen et al. NR
Wei et al. NR
Bhattacharjee et al. NR
Qureshi et al. NR
Pandey et al. NR
Matsumoto et al. NR
Topal et al. NR
Aalberg et al. NR
Aalberg et al. NR
Lucas et al. NR
(+) (EM-HCN) Cervini et al. (+)
Kirkpatrick et al. NR
Bagul et al. (-)
Jimenez et al. (+)
Okoshi et al. (-)
Niitsu et al. (-)
Niitsu et al. (-)
Niitsu et al. (-)
Niitsu et al. (+)
Niitsu et al. (-)
Niitsu et al. (+)
Niitsu et al. (-)
Niitsu et al. (-)
Gaeta et al. (+): (-) = 2 : 6
Wang et al. (+)
Niitsu et al. (-)
Niitsu et al. (-)
Current case NR
R: right; L: left; NR: not reported.
Table 2: Laterality of the reviewed cases.
Right Left Total
EM-HCN 21 4 25
Non-EM-HCN 16 12 28
Total 37 16 53
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| Title Annotation: | Case Report |
|---|---|
| Author: | Nagase, Shunsuke; Ogura, Kanako; Ashizawa, Karin; Sakaguchi, Asumi; Wada, Ryo; Matsumoto, Toshiharu |
| Publication: | Case Reports in Pathology |
| Date: | May 31, 2020 |
| Words: | 3422 |
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