Case report
Giant right groin lipoma mimicking inguinal hernia

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijscr.2015.03.056Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • Notwithstanding the fact that giant lipomas in the inguinal region are considered a rare pathology, it is the one that doctors should remember of, especially when inguinal hernia is being diagnosed.

  • Otherwise, in case of false diagnosis, wrong treatment strategy may lead to the development of serious iatrogenic complications.

  • In view of such circumstances, the presence of a slightest doubt about the diagnosis of “inguinal hernia,” the range of traditional examinations should be expanded by involving CT or MRI.

Abstract

Introduction

Groin lipoma is a rare condition. Such localization may lead to erroneous interpretation of inguinal hernia diagnosis. In case of incorrect diagnosis, there is clinically high risk for development of intraoperative complications.

Methods

The medical history of 70-year old female patient P., who has been hospitalized at Surgical Department No.1 of Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University (Surgical Department of Lviv Regional Clinical Hospital), was processed retrospectively.

Result

Medical case history totals approximately 20 years. Examination in the right groin revealed a tumor falling to the right labia lip: soft, elastic, moderately painful, passive and active reduction into the abdominal cavity was impossible, and the “cough impulse” symptom was negative. CT correctly diagnosed giant right groin lipoma, which was intraoperatively confirmed.

Conclusion

Lipoma in the groin may be treated as inguinal hernia. Thus, for the accurate verification of correct diagnosis, it is necessary to perform a follow-up examination involving computer tomography (CT) and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI).

Keywords

Hernia
Lipoma
Inguinal region/groin area
Computer tomography

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