A hydrocephalus is a relatively common complication of pelvic inflammation. According to the definition, a hydrocele of the fallopian tube is a widening of the lumen associated with a difficult outflow of fluid from its inside. The course of the disease process can be asymptomatic, but sometimes it is associated with severe pelvic pain. The treatment involves laparoscopy.

Tubal hydrocele , referred to in Latin ashydrosalpinxis a frequent consequence of inflammation developing within the pelvic organs. The name of the described pathology is associated with a blocked outflow of liquid content from the fallopian tube, which causes its accumulation and, at the same time, swelling of this structure. It is worth emphasizing that the term hydrocele of the fallopian tube is used only in relation to the blocked outflow of the fluid, serous content. If there is purulent content, it is referred to as an empyema of the fallopian tube, and when it is blood - it is a hematoma. Obturation of the fallopian tube disables its basic functions, i.e. draining the accumulated serous content. Unfortunately, this can cause fertility problems.

Causes of the Fallopian Hydrocele

The main cause of a fallopian hydrocele is an inflammatory process that develops in the area of ​​the smaller pelvis, such as adnexitis. In some situations, the source of the disease process is endometriosis.

Taking into account the location of the source of infection, there is a descending or ascending pathway for pathogens to penetrate. In the first case, it is a descending process of inflammation of the abdominal organs, e.g. the appendix. Much more often the transmission of bacteria takes place via the ascending pathway - they penetrate directly through the vagina and then colonize the uterine cavity, and in extreme situations, the appendages on both sides. The cross-section of the identified pathogens is large, but the most common ones are gonorrhea or chlamydia.

Symptoms of a tubal hydrocele

Experienced discomfort in patients suffering from hydrocephalus may vary and it is an individual matter, often related to the pain threshold. The list of the most frequently mentioned symptoms includes:

  • asymptomatic course, which definitely delays the implementation of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. WatermanIn such a case, the fallopian tube is torn out completely accidentally during a routine ultrasound examination, often performed for a different reason.
  • pain in the lower abdomen, often clearly intensified and hindering everyday functioning
  • acute inflammation as a consequence of bacterial superinfection of the fluid accumulated in the dilated fallopian tube, which is manifested by fever, severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.

The consequence of hydrocele in the fallopian tube may be infertility, especially if both fallopian tubes are affected by the disease. The role of the fallopian tube under physiological conditions is to transport the fertilized egg to the uterine cavity, where the embryo is implanted. The inflammation of this organ leads, first of all, to the destruction of the epithelium lining the inside of the fallopian tube, which makes it impossible to fulfill its function. The chance for possible pregnancy is only one-sided destruction, with a properly functioning fallopian tube on the other side. Otherwise, you will need to fertilize with iVF.

Diagnosis of tubal hydrocele

The diagnosis of a tubal hydrocele is based primarily on the result of an ultrasound examination with the use of a transvaginal transducer. The screen of the ultrasound machine then shows the segmentally widened fallopian tube, resembling a "sausage", and the hypoechoic interior suggests the presence of liquid content. In some situations, to confirm the initial assumptions, the gynecologist recommends an HSG examination - hysterosalpingography. A contrast agent is introduced into the uterine cavity - a contrast agent. At the same time, a series of X-ray images is taken, during which the obstructed flow of the liquid substance to the fallopian tubes is observed.

The ultimate diagnostic tool is laparoscopy. The examination is performed in an operating theater, with an optical apparatus and tools for verifying the patency of the fallopian tubes inside the abdominal cavity. As in HSG, contrast is introduced, and in the case of hydrocele of the fallopian tube, i.e. the lack of its patency, the outflow of dye is not visible on the monitor screen.

Treatment of a tubal hydrocele

Treatment of hydrocele of the fallopian tube is undertaken primarily in the case of infertility treatment. In many cases, laparoscopic surgery to clear the blocked fallopian tube is necessary. Often on this occasion, post-inflammatory adhesions in the area of ​​the fallopian tube are released. Thanks to this, the outflow of liquid content from the inside of the organ is unblocked. In the event of a significant widening, the complete evacuation of the pathologically accumulated fluid is sometimes impossible, then the only solution is to remove the pathologically changed fluid.section of the fallopian tube, which sometimes makes pregnancy impossible.

Unfortunately, even a meticulously performed procedure does not guarantee the absence of recurrences, and in the case of tubal plastic surgery, the patient does not receive 100% certainty that his function will return. The damaged epithelium is not able to efficiently transport the fertilized egg.

Category:

Female diseases