Nonobliteration of the Processus Vaginalis. Sonography of Related Abnormalities in Children.

The objective of this pictorial essay is to systematically classify processus vaginalis– related disorders in the light of embryology and present illustrative sonograms with corresponding diagrams. Failure of the processus vaginalis to obliterate during gestation results in a wide spectrum of anomalies, including communicating and noncommunicating hydroceles and inguinal and inguinoscrotal hernias, along with other related disorders of the genital system. There are varying classifications in the literature regarding the aforementioned entities. Proper and timely diagnosis of these entities is essential, given the differences in treatment. Although physical examination can narrow the differential diagnosis, sonography plays an essential role in establishing the diagnosis.