Salisu M., 10

Salisu Muhammad Jatau is a 10-year-old boy who lives with his parents and two siblings in a two-room rented apartment. His father is has no source of income while his mother is a primary school teacher and the main source of income, earning about ₦40,000 monthly. The family faces financial challenges and currently buys water daily because their community borehole is not functioning. Despite these difficulties, Salisu enjoys reading and dreams of becoming a pilot. Salisu was brought for medical evaluation due to a right empty scrotum since birth and painless swelling of the left scrotum for four years. The swelling increases in the evening and reduces when he lies down. He was diagnosed with a right undescended testis and left communicating hydrocele. Surgery was recommended, including right orchidopexy and left hydrocelectomy, but his family could not afford the medical costs.

Surgery at age 10 gives a very good prognosis. The right testis can be brought down into the scrotum where it will have normal function and can be monitored for any future problems. The left hydrocele repair has >95% success rate with minimal recurrence. He will return to normal activities in 2-3 weeks. If left untreated: The undescended right testis has increased risk of infertility, testicular torsion, and malignancy later in life. The left hydrocele may enlarge, cause discomfort, and could develop into an inguinal hernia with risk of incarceration. If left untreated, an undescended testis may increase the risk of infertility, testicular damage, and testicular cancer, while the hydrocele may persist or enlarge and cause discomfort or complications.