Small intestinal strangulation due to a primary internal paracecal hernia

The discovery of a paracolic hernia is an unusual event, even for an experienced specialist in colorectal surgery. We report a case of a 59-year-old woman with no previous history of abdominal surgery, who presented to the Emergency Department complaining of episodic abdominal pain and distension accompanied by a palpable mass in the right lower quadrant. At laparotomy, a paracecal hernia with small bowel volvulation was found. The prime objective of this report is to draw the clinician's attention to the necessity of making a rapid diagnosis of internal hernias.