Communicating hematocele in children following splenic rupture: diagnosis and management

Acute hematocele is commonly associated with direct testicular trauma. Blood within the tunica vaginalis may infrequently accompany blunt abdominal injury in the presence of a communicating hydrocele. Optimal management involves early recognition and treatment of the abdominal source of bleeding. Elective repair of the communicating hydrocele/hematocele should follow. We report 2 cases of boys with scrotal swelling due to communicating hematoceles. Both cases were associated with a patent processus vaginalis and splenic laceration secondary to blunt trauma.