Lumbar hernia Jean-Louis Petit: A case report and literature review.

Abstract

Inferior lumbar hernias are exceptionally rare, representing a small fraction of all abdominal wall hernias. Among them, hernias of Jean-Louis Petit, occurring through the inferior lumbar triangle, are particularly uncommon and often overlooked in clinical practice. We present the case of a 53-year-old woman with no significant medical history who developed a painless, progressively enlarging mass in the right lumbar region. Ultrasound revealed a hernial sac containing omental and digestive structures, which was further characterized by CT imaging as an inferior lumbar hernia containing epiploic fat and bowel loops, with no evidence of strangulation. The patient was referred for elective surgical repair to prevent future complications. This case underscores the importance of recognizing lumbar hernias as a differential in atypical flank masses and illustrates the critical role of CT in accurate diagnosis and surgical planning. Given the rarity of this entity, increased awareness among clinicians and radiologists is essential for timely and appropriate management.