Pericecal hernia: a rare form of internal hernias

We report a rare and interesting case of a pericecal hernia. A 34-year-old male presented to the emergency department with severe periumbilical pain, emesis and a prior syncopal episode. He noted a 3-month history of intermittent, colicky periumbilical pain. His abdominal examination demonstrated a palpable mass in the right lower quadrant, involuntary guarding and rebound tenderness. CT demonstrated dilated small-bowel loops and findings suggestive of ischemia. The patient was immediately taken to the operating room where a diagnosis of pericecal hernia was made. The patient underwent a reduction of the hernia and a repair of the mesenteric defect.