Sciatic hernia with incarcerated ileum: CT and radiographic diagnosis

An elderly woman presented with postprandial cramps in the right lower abdomen and recurrent episodes of low back pain radiating down to the dorsal aspect of her right thigh. Computed tomography (CT) of the pelvis and barium enema with small bowel reflux demonstrated the herniation of an ileal loop through the greater sciatic foramen on the right side. The diagnosis and management of this case are herein described and previous publications on sciatic hernias are reviewed.