Sliding ureteral inguinal hernia: An uncommon embryological trick. Case report and literature review

Inguinoscrotal herniation of the bladder is a rare clinical entity, with a frequency between 0.5% and 4% of all inguinal hernias. When the whole bladder and ureters migrate into the scrotum, it may cause urinary disorders as hydronephrosis.

A 77-year-old male patient suffering from hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, obesity and diabetic disease presented with urinary disorders and left-sided inguinoscrotal hernia. Under clinical suspicion of sigmoid colon involvement in the inguinal canal, abdominal and pelvic computed tomography (CT scan) with endovenous contrast was performed, revealing a left inguinoscrotal hernia, containing the sigmoid colon and the left pelvic ureter causing left hydronephrosis.

Without create urinary bladder wall leakage, the content of the hernial sac was reduced into the abdominal cavity. Previous subarachnoid anesthesia a left hernioplasty was performed by means of Lichtenstein's method with self-fixating mesh (Bard Adhesix) and subsequent complete resolution of the hydronephrosis.

Ureter involvement should be suspected when a clinical inguinal hernia is diagnosed concurrently with unexplained hydronephrosis, renal failure, or urinary tract infection, as in the case described. When suspected, the preoperative diagnosis, particularly with CT scan, is essential to avoid complications and to reduce risk of bladder and ureter injuries during hernia repair.