CHOLESTEROL CRYSTALS IN HYDROCELES - SONOGRAPHIC DETECTION AND POSSIBLE SIGNIFICANCE

OBJECTIVE, The aim of this study of seven patients who had elective su rgical repairs of a hydrocele was to try to differentiate by microscop y and chemical analysis hyperechoic hydrocele fluid from the more typi cal anechoic hydrocele fluid. CONCLUSION. Hyperechoic hydrocele fluid is related to the presence of cholesterol crystals. Cholesterol crysta ls were noted on microscopic examination in all three patients with hy perechoic hydrocele fluid, No cholesterol crystals were evident in the four patients with typical anechoic hydrocele fluid.