Round ligament varicosities mimicking inguinal hernia: a diagnostic challenge during pregnancy

Groin swelling first evokes inguinal or femoral hernia but many other conditions may account for it. We describe varicosities of round ligament in a 27-year-old pregnant woman. She presented with a groin mass mimicking an inguinal hernia. Diagnosis was made during surgical exploration. This case report strengthens the fact that varicosities of the round ligament, favoured by hormonal and mechanical factors, should be evoked in a pregnant woman complaining of a groin mass. Ultrasonographic examination of the groin should be performed in such cases to avoid unnecessary surgery.