A Rare Groin Mystery in Pregnancy

A 34-year-old pregnant woman found a lump in her groin. It was not painful, but it did not go away. She had no other symptoms. Doctors thought it was a type of hernia called an inguinal hernia. They even scheduled surgery to fix it. But during the operation, they found something else. It was a rare condition called Hydrocele of the Canal of Nuck (HCN). This condition is not common in adults, especially pregnant women. HCN happens when fluid builds up in a part of the body called the processus vaginalis. This can cause a swelling in the groin. Doctors usually do not think of HCN when they see a groin swelling in adult women. This can lead to misdiagnosis. In this case, an ultrasound scan showed a fluid-filled mass. But it was not enough to rule out a hernia.The woman was in her first trimester of pregnancy. She had no history of similar issues. The swelling was firm and could not be pushed back in. This made doctors think it was a hernia. But during surgery, they found the true cause. HCN is hard to diagnose just by looking at symptoms. Doctors need to be aware of other possible causes of groin swelling. This case shows how important it is for doctors to consider all possibilities. HCN is rare, but it can happen. Early diagnosis is key to proper treatment. Doctors should have a high suspicion for HCN when they see groin swellings in adult women. This can help avoid misdiagnosis and ensure the right treatment.