Renal pelvis and ureteropelvic junction incarceration in a Grynfeltt-Lesshaft hernia: a case report and review of the literature

Background: Grynfeltt-Lesshaft hernia is a kind of lumbar abdominal wall hernia in which clinical presentations may vary from an asymptomatic bulge in the lumbar area to a symptomatic lumbar mass with back pain. It has been accepted to be a rare entity, and incarceration of the kidney through this hernia is shown to be very rare, and very few previous cases have been reported in this regard. We present a case of renal pelvic and ureteropelvic junction incarceration in a Grynfeltt-Lesshaft hernia and provide an overview of the existing literature on it.

Case presentation: A 76-year-old lady presented to the outpatient clinic with the chief complaint of right flank pain and swelling. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen was revealed a large herniated sac (60*30 mm) in the upper lumbar triangle with protrusion of retroperitoneal and omental fat, right renal pelvis, ureteropelvic junction and proximal ureter with consecutive hydronephrosis. Herniated retroperitoneal and omental fat was reduced, and closure of the abdominal wall defect was done using retro-muscular Mesh and was fixed to the fascia. The patient was discharged 24 h after the surgery without any complications.

Conclusion: Kidney herniation through the lumbar triangle is extremely rare, and the diagnosis requires careful clinical evaluation. CT scan is the modality of choice for the assessment. Management through surgery should be done in symptomatic patients.