Eggshell calcified hydrocele sac: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Hydrocele, an abnormal fluid collection between parietal and visceral layers of the tunica vaginalis, is the commonest cause of scrotal swelling, and it affects all age groups. Calcification of hydrocele sac/wall is a rare clinical entity. The etiology of calcification of hydrocele sac is not clear, but most literature proposes that calcification is secondary to chronic irritation. Trauma and infectious diseases including Schistosoma haematobium, filariasis, and tuberculosis can also cause calcification of the hydrocele sac. CASE PRESENTATION: A 74-year-old Ethiopian male patient presented with left side scrotal swelling of 3 years duration, which was initially small but progressively increased. He had no history of trauma, and he had no history of swelling on the contralateral side. Scrotal ultrasound (US) showed a large echodebrinous left-side scrotal collection with calcifications, bilateral testis appear normal in size, echogenicity, and color Doppler flow with the index of likely chronic hematocele. Therefore, with a diagnosis of left-sided calcified hydrocele, the patient was operated on and the calcified sac was excised and sent for histopathology. Finally, the patient was discharged improved after 2 days of hospital stay. CONCLUSION: Calcification of the tunica vaginalis is very rare and is probably due to chronic irritation of the wall from the coexisting hydrocele. Surgical excision of calcified hydrocele sac is the treatment of choice.