GLANDULAR INCLUSIONS IN INGUINAL-HERNIA SACS - A CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY OF CASES

Glandular inclusions in inguinal hernia sacs are not frequent. We pres ent six cases of inguinal hernia with this finding, which represents a n incidence of 2.6% in males and shows a predominance in the prepubert al stage. Five patients showed cryptorchidism and two cases were relat ed to congenital malformations of the single umbilical artery type and 47,XY chromosome disorder with chromosomal marker. The most important differential diagnosis must be made with normal histological structur es such as the vas deferens or epididymis. The mean diameter of the in clusions was 0.1988 mm and there was a significant difference in size between the inclusions and the vas deferens, but not the epididymis. D ifferentiation from the latter is based on the absence of a well-devel oped muscular coat in the wall of the inclusions. It is important to r ecognize that these inclusions can occur in hernia sacs because of the clinical and medicolegal implications that arise if they are confused with true epididymis or vas deferens. They may arise from paratesticu lar embryonal remnants.