Timely computed tomography scan diagnoses spigelian hernia: a case study

Abstract

A spigelian hernia is a rare cause of acute abdominal pain and its diagnosis is often difficult to make. A CT scan of the patient demonstrated an incarcerated spigelian hernia containing small bowel which had subsequently reduced spontaneously. The patient underwent laparoscopic repair of her spigelian hernia the following day and made a fast and uneventful recovery. This case illustrates the importance of imaging a patient whilst symptomatic if the diagnosis of a spigelian hernia is entertained.