Warning: This article contains graphic images of a medical nature
A 65-year-old man has had a huge hernia removed from his scrotum after it grew so large he couldn't walk properly or have sex.
The Moroccan patient was diagnosed with a giant inguinoscrotal hernia, which is an extremely rare medical condition.
The man had not sought medical help for the hernia and instead left it to grow for 12 years. As a result, his scrotum swelled to the size of a basketball, reaching past the middle of his thigh.
According to health experts writing in the Journal of Medical Case Reports, such hernias have not been reported in medical literature to date.
The man's swollen scrotum
A hernia occurs when an internal part of the body pushes through a weakness in the muscle or surrounding tissue wall.
They can sometimes appear suddenly after putting pressure on the abdomen, such as straining on the toilet or carrying and pushing heavy loads. They have also been linked to having a persistent, heavy cough.
In this specific case, the hernia contained small and large bowel loops, as well as the man's urinary bladder.
Doctors said the hernia mass was about 30cm in size, which is bigger than a basketball. His scrotal skin was thickened, but there were no signs of inflammation or ulceration.
The patient agreed to have surgery to repair the hernia, because he could no longer walk properly or have sex.
Doctors noted that because he had left it so late, the surgical procedure could have fatal complications. This is because forcing the contents of the hernia sac back into the abdominal cavity can increase pressure in the abdomen and result in heart and lung issues.
Fortunately for the patient, his surgery went well and six months after the operation doctors were pleased to see that the hernia had not returned.