Obturator hernia: A diagnostic challenge.

PATIENT

Female, 90 FINAL DIAGNOSIS: Obturator hernia Symptoms: Epigastric pain • vomiting

MEDICATION

• Clinical Procedure: - Specialty: Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

OBJECTIVE

Challenging differential diagnosis.

BACKGROUND

Obturator hernia (OH) can be difficult to diagnose because it shows only nonspecific signs and symptoms. Although pain in a lower limb caused by compression of the obturator nerve by the hernia in the obturator canal (Howship-Romberg sign) is a characteristic sign, its presence is rather rare.

CASE REPORT

We herein describe the case of a 90-year-old woman with an OH that was difficult to diagnose because of her slight abdominal signs and symptoms on admission and subtle abdominal computed tomography (CT) findings. Although the CT images revealed the presence of an OH, this finding was overlooked because it contained only a part of the small intestine wall, which is called the Richter type. Fortunately, her condition improved dramatically with only conservative treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Although early diagnosis is essential to reduce morbidity and mortality, OH can be a diagnostic challenge even with abdominal CT.