Perforated sigmoid colon cancer within an irreducible inguinal hernia: a case report

Korean J Radiol. 2010 Mar-Apr;11(2):231-3. doi: 10.3348/kjr.2010.11.2.231. Epub 2010 Feb 22.

Abstract

A perforated sigmoid colon cancer within an inguinal hernia is extremely rare. This unexpected finding is usually discovered during surgery and causes an unavoidable septic evolution. Here, we describe the case of an 84-year-old man who presented with fever, abdominal distension, and a painful, enlarged, left scrotum. A CT showed a left, incarcerated, inguinal hernia containing a perforated sigmoid adenocarcinoma (which was confirmed by histopathology). The possibility of an irreducible inguinal hernia in association with perforated sigmoid colon cancer should be considered in the array of diagnoses. A pre-operative CT scan would be helpful in facilitating an accurate diagnosis.

Keywords: Computed tomography (CT); Inguinal hernia; Perforation; Sigmoid adenocarcinoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / complications
  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Adenocarcinoma / surgery
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Colon, Sigmoid / diagnostic imaging
  • Colon, Sigmoid / surgery
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Fever / etiology
  • Hernia, Inguinal / complications
  • Hernia, Inguinal / diagnostic imaging*
  • Hernia, Inguinal / surgery
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Perforation / complications
  • Intestinal Perforation / diagnostic imaging*
  • Intestinal Perforation / surgery
  • Male
  • Pain / etiology
  • Shock, Septic / complications
  • Sigmoid Neoplasms / complications
  • Sigmoid Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Sigmoid Neoplasms / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed