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Biochemical Analysis of Hydrocele fluid in Males with hydrocele in a Filariasis endemic Community: An experience at surgical camp in Tanga
Mchembe, M.D.; Mwanga, A. & Ramadhan, H.
Abstract
Background: Adult hydrocele is a very common urological disease in most of the subSaharan
African countries; the reported incidence of adult hydrocele is up to 20–28% in
some lymphatic filariasis endemic communities. The associated economic burden involved
with the treatment of hydrocele can be significant in these mostly poor resource economies.
There is shortage of published data regarding biochemical analysis of hydrocele fluids in
Tanzania and the study area in particular. This study was conducted in our local setting in
an endemic filariasis affected area to describe and highlight the biochemical component of
adult male hydrocele fluid, the clinical appearance of the hydrocele fluid and tunica
vaginalis at operation.
Methods: This was cross-sectional descriptive study, done at Pangani to all patients seen at
the camp in the year 2011 and found to have hydrocele in one or both sides. Demographic
data were entered, necessary investigations were taken and patients were scheduled for
operation. Statistical data analysis was performed using SPSS version 17.0.
Results: A total of 81 patients were studied, all being Males. The commonest age of patients
at diagnosis was ≥ 60 years (39%) followed by the age range between 20 – 45 years (34%).
Majority of patients had their disease duration of < 5years (41 patients) followed by
patients with the disease > 10 years (22 patients). In terms of location of the hydrocele,
most of the patients had their disease located on the left side (24 patients) followed by
those with bilateral disease (22 patients). The clinical hydrocele fluid appearance at
operation was found to be straw coloured in the majority of cases (48 patients), followed by
the clear yellow fluid (19 patients). For the tunica vaginalis characteristics at operation, 34
patients (the majority) had thin and soft tunica vaginalis. Most of the electrolytes tested in
hydrocele fluid (Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Cl-) were found to be within normal range with the known
serum normal levels.
Conclusions: Biochemical electrolyte composition of adult male hydrocele fluid in filariasis
endemic area community is almost similar to normal serum major electrolytes.
Keywords
Adult male hydrocele fluid; biochemical analysis in an endemic filariasis community; surgical camp; Tanzania
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