[Inguinal ureteral hernia: a clinical case].

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Surgical Case Reports
• Abdominal Imaging

Background:

• Inguinal hernias are common surgical conditions.
• Ureteral hernias are rare, with paraperitoneal and extraperitoneal types described.
• Indirect inguinal hernias are the most frequent type.

Observation:

• An 80-year-old patient with a history of hypertension and previous surgeries presented for evaluation.
• An intravenous urogram incidentally revealed the right ureter traversing the right inguinal canal.
• Computed tomography (CT) scan confirmed the diagnosis of ureteral inguinal hernia.

Findings:

• The ureteral inguinal hernia was diagnosed incidentally in an elderly patient with multiple comorbidities.
• Due to the patient's advanced age, comorbidities, and asymptomatic presentation, conservative management was selected.
• Paraperitoneal hernias (80%) involve a hernia sac and can contain abdominal organs, while extraperitoneal hernias are associated with retroperitoneal fat.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of recognizing rare anatomical variations during diagnostic imaging.
• Conservative management may be appropriate for asymptomatic ureteral hernias in elderly patients with significant comorbidities.
• Understanding the classification and typical presentation of ureteral hernias aids in diagnosis and treatment planning.