Inguinal Hernia vs Cryptorchidism

A swelling on one side of the groin signifies a mass which could a hernia, cryptorchidism, or an anterior abdominal wall mass. Hernia is an outward protrusion of a structure through the muscle tissue or membrane. It is both most common among infants and older because the pathophysiology of this disease is due to the weak or weakened anterior abdominal wall that should normally prevents the formation of a hernia. The presence of a reducible mass that disappears with application of pressure indicates a hernia. Cryptorchidism is the absence of one or both of the testes on the scrotal sac. The testis can be found mostly in the inguinal canal or high above its tract. The presence of a movable mass on the groin and does not reduce with pressure indicates a cryptorchid. Any mass on the anterior abdominal wall, whether nodular or cystic, must be excluded primarily to arrive with a correct and sound diagnosis because the mass itself present similar characteristics that of a hernia and a crytorchid.