Acute appendicitis in the context of De Garengeot hernia: a case report.

Abstract

De Garengeot hernia is a rare type of hernia so called when the vermiform appendix is found within the hernia sac of a femoral hernia. For the appendix to be inflamed is yet more uncommon. We present the case of a 61-year-old man who presented with a painful right groin lump. Computed tomography imaging reported an inguinal hernia containing a non-inflamed appendix however, intraoperative findings confirmed a femoral hernia containing an appendix with a necrotic tip. As such, these cases prove a diagnostic challenge as not only are the clinical findings illusive, but the radiological findings are often misleading. Diagnosis is often intraoperative and case reports such as this are useful in highlighting this challenging pathology.