Groin Swellings

Differential Diagnosis

Common Diagnoses

  • Sebaceous Cyst
  • Palpable Lymph Nodes (LNs): ‘Normal’ or Secondary to an Infection
  • Inguinal Hernia
  • Femoral Hernia
  • Saphena Varix

Occasional Diagnoses

  • Retractile Testicle
  • Abscess (Local)
  • Metastatic Tumour (Usually as Skin-Fixed Lymphadenopathy)
  • Hydrocele of Spermatic Cord
  • Low Appendix Mass, Pelvic/Inguinal Tumour
  • Lipoma

Rare Diagnoses

  • Abscess (Psoas)
  • Lymphoma
  • Femoral Artery Aneurysm
  • Neurofibroma
  • Undescended or Ectopic Testis

Ready Reckoner

Key distinguishing features of the most common diagnoses

Sebaceous CystLNs Inguinal HerniaFemoral HerniaSaphena Varix
ReducibleNoNoPossiblePossibleYes
Cough ImpulseNoNoYesPossibleYes
Palpable Thrill on Valsalva ManoeuvreNoNoNoNoYes
Fixed to SkinYesNoNoNoNo
Originates Above and Medial to Pubic TuberclePossiblePossibleYesNoNo

Possible Investigations

Likely:None

Possible:FBC, ESR/CRP, GUM screen.

Small Print:Pelvic ultrasound.

  • FBC and ESR/CRP useful if diffuse lymphadenopathy found, especially if no evidence of local cause or other significantly enlarged nodes found. Hb may be reduced and ESR/ CRP elevated in malignancy; WCC and ESR/CRP elevated in abscess, infection and blood dyscrasias
  • Urethral, vaginal or endocervical swabs indicated if any associated discharge and/or suspicion of STD.
  • Pelvic ultrasound useful if pelvic mass suspected.

Top Tips

  • A large saphena varix can look very much like a small hernia. Try the Valsalva test and look for evidence of varicose veins.
  • If the cause is local lymphadenopathy, look for local infective causes and don’t forget to consider STDs
  • Don’t be surprised to find no abnormality – normal groin nodes in a slim person, and a normally retractile testis can cause great anxiety in patients and parents.
  • If the history suggests a hernia, but nothing is obvious on examination, get the patient to raise the intra-abdominal pressure with a vigorous cough or by raising the legs straight up while lying on the couch – and remember to examine the patient standing up, too.

Red Flags

  • Femoral herniae (commoner in women) are at high risk of strangulation, so always refer
  • Undescended testis in the adult carries a high risk of malignancy. If the testis is not descended by the age of six months, then operative intervention is indicated. Bilateral undescended testes need urgent referral
  • If lymphadenopathy is the cause, look elsewhere for abnormal lymph nodes and investigate or refer if any are found. Hard, skin-fixed nodes suggest metastatic malignancy – refer urgently.
  • An acutely painful and irreducible groin lump suggests a strangulated or incarcerated hernia. If in any doubt, refer for urgent surgical assessment.

Published: 2nd August 2022 Updated: 10th April 2024

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Pulse Reference is based on the best-selling book Symptom Sorter. The experts behind Pulse Reference are Dr Keith Hopcroft who is the co-author of Symptom Sorter, a GP in Essex and Pulse’s editorial advisor and Dr Poppy Freeman, a GP in Camden and also a clinical advisor to Pulse. This website is for clinical guidance only and cannot give definitive diagnostic information. Practitioners should work within the limits of their individual professional practice, seek guidance when necessary and refer appropriately.