J Korean Surg Soc.  2011 Jun;80(6):437-439. 10.4174/jkss.2011.80.6.437.

Round ligament varicosities mimicking inguinal hernia in pregnancy

• Lee DK
• Bae SW
• Moon H
• Kim YK

• KMID: 2212190
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4174/jkss.2011.80.6.437

Abstract

Round ligament varicosities during pregnancy are rare, and can easily be mistaken for an inguinal hernia. On physical examination, round ligament varicosities and groin hernia are difficult to distinguish. The diagnosis of round ligament varicosities can be established on gray-scale and color Doppler sonography. We experienced a case of round ligament varicosities in which a 29-year-old woman presented symptoms at 36 weeks gestation. The patient was diagnosed using Doppler sonography, managed with conservative therapy, and had an uncomplicated vaginal delivery at 40 weeks. The symptoms were resolved completely by two weeks postpartum. We report a case of round ligament varicosities that was diagnosed at 36 weeks of gestation with a review of the literature.

Keyword

Round ligament varicosity; Pregnancy; Inguinal hernia; Sonography

MeSH Terms

Adult
Female
Groin
Hernia
Hernia, Inguinal
Humans
Physical Examination
Postpartum Period
Pregnancy
Round Ligament of Uterus
Round Ligaments

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Right inguinal swelling caused by round ligament varicosities.

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  Fig. 2 Gray-scale (A) and color Doppler imaging (B) show a mass in the right groin composed of multiple, and echo-free tubular channels that filled with color on Doppler imaging.

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