Ruptured Ovarian Cyst Masking Diagnosis of Hernia Through Broad Ligament of Uterus: A Case Report

Small bowel obstruction is a common surgical emergency and frequent cause of hospitalization. Internal hernias account for less than 6% of all small bowel obstruction cases. Less frequently, hernias through the broad ligament of the uterus can occur and account for only 4-7% of total internal hernia cases. We report a case of a small bowel hernia through broad ligament of the uterus in a young female. Multiple diagnostic modalities suggested a ruptured ovarian cyst as the most probable cause for her abdominal pain. However, her symptoms were much more severe than an ovarian cyst would normally produce. Therefore, a diagnostic laparotomy was performed, which found a small intestine hernia through the left broad ligament of the uterus. The diagnosis of intestinal hernias, specifically through the broad ligament, is often delayed due to the infrequent occurrence, varied presentation, and difficulty of confirmation on computed tomography (CT) scan. Surgery is the gold standard for the diagnosis and treatment of internal hernias. This article draws attention toward a rare and potentially life-threatening cause of abdominal pain.