Grynfeltt lumbar hernia mimicking recurrent renal colic in a young woman: A case report

Lumbar hernias are a rare condition. These anomalies account for less than 2% of all abdominal hernias. They develop in areas of natural muscular weakness in the lumbar region, most often in the upper lumbar triangle (Grynfeltt-Les Shaft triangle). Lumbar hernias are often overlooked because their symptoms are nonspecific and can mimic more common conditions, such as renal colic or soft tissue masses, particularly lipomas. We report the case of a 32-year-old woman with recurrent episodes of left lumbar pain, initially suspected of being renal colic, but ultimately diagnosed with a Grynfeltt lumbar hernia after imaging. This case highlights the importance of considering lumbar hernia in the differential diagnosis of persistent or atypical flank pain and emphasizes the central role of CT imaging in establishing an early diagnosis and guiding management.