Cystic testicle as the cause of an inguinal hernia in a 2‐month‐old foal?

Summary A 2‐month‐old colt was referred for left‐sided unilateral swelling of the scrotum. Clinical and ultrasonographic examinations revealed a unilateral indirect, nonruptured, inguinal hernia with the jejunum protruding into the inguinal canal and the scrotum. The inguinal canal was wide enough to fit five fingers, and spontaneous resolution was not expected. Consequently, the foal underwent surgery. In the vaginal process, no testis could be found, and after reduction of the herniated jejunum, a mass was palpable in the abdominal cavity adjacent to the vaginal ring. It was not possible to exteriorise the mass that was suspected to be a cystic testicle. Two days later, a laparoscopy was performed under general anaesthesia in dorsal recumbency. The mass was confirmed to be a cystic testicle with torsion of the spermatic cord and was exteriorised through a mini‐laparotomy after reducing its size by aspirating 220 mL of cystic, serous, yellow fluid. Postoperatively, the foal developed an abscess in the inguinal area, which drained by itself within 24 h and was left to heal by second intention. The foal was discharged 26 days after the first surgery. At the age of 3 years, a right‐sided scrotal castration was performed after which the horse could be trained with no restrictions on its use. This case report stresses the importance of a thorough preoperative ultrasonographic assessment of an inguinal hernia to determine its cause and to optimise the surgical procedure.