Pre-operative sonographic diagnosis of incarcerated neonatal Spigelian hernia containing the testis.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Spigelian hernia (SH) is a ventral hernia that occurs along the semilunar line formed by the fibrous union of the rectus sheath and the anterior abdominal wall muscles, usually containing small bowel segments, omental fat or both. Spigelian hernias are rare in adults and exceedingly rare in children. A few case reports describing SH in the paediatric population have been published and an association with cryptorchidism has been very rarely reported. OBJECTIVE: To report three examples of SH. RESULTS: We describe three examples of SH containing incarcerated testis in two neonates. These were diagnosed preoperatively with US. Ultrasound-guided reduction of the hernia contents was performed successfully in one case. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of these hernias.