Posterior Rectus Sheath Hernia Causing Intermittent Small Bowel Obstruction

Authors

  • Scott Lenobel
  • Robert Lenobel
  • Joseph Yu

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3941/jrcr.v8i9.2081

Keywords:

CT, abdomen, hernia, rectus sheath, small bowel obstruction, abdominal pain

Abstract

A posterior rectus sheath hernia is an abdominal wall hernia that is rarely encountered. Owing to its rarity, it can be easily overlooked in the setting of a patient presenting with abdominal pain. We report a case of a posterior rectus sheath hernia that caused intermittent small bowel obstruction. The unusual aspects of this case are that the defect was large, measuring 6 cm in the transverse diameter, and that it contained small bowel within a large portion of the rectus sheath. Because the defect was large and affected nearly the entire posterior rectus sheath, it was difficult to discern on computed tomography until a small bowel obstruction developed. In this case, a limited awareness of this clinical entity contributed to the delay in diagnosis.

Author Biographies

Scott Lenobel

Assistant Professor

Musculoskeletal Radiology

Joseph Yu

Professor

Section Chief, Musculoskeletal Radiology

Published

2014-09-22

Issue

Section

Emergency Radiology