1. Introduction
While typical abdominal hernias are found in the inguinal area, obturator hernia is rare and accounts for up to 1.4% of all hernias and 1.6% of all cases of mechanical obstruction of the small bowel (1). On the contrary, Meckel’s diverticulum is the most common congenital malformation of the gastrointestinal tract, present in approximately 2% - 4% of the population. However, it is uncommon in the adult population (2). The coexistence of obturator hernia and Meckel’s diverticulum is extremely rare, with only a few studies reported in the literature (3, 4). Although obturator hernias have the highest mortality rate of between 13% and 40% for all abdominal hernias (1), vague signs and symptoms make them difficult to diagnose. Multidetector computed tomography (CT) is useful for the identification of abdominal wall hernias (5). Herein, we present a rare case of herniation of Meckel’s diverticulum through the obturator canal, with an emphasis on imaging features.
2. Case Presentation
A 76-year-old woman visited the local hospital due to abdominal pain and vomiting; she was referred to our hospital for intensive care and surgical treatment. At presentation, her vital signs were stable. Laboratory tests indicated that her leukocyte count and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were 24.41 × 103/µL and 20.08 mg/dL, respectively. Renal function tests showed a blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level of 58.4 mg/dL and a creatinine level of 2.49 mg/dL. Other laboratory results were unremarkable.
Abdominal supine radiography performed at our hospital showed the ileus with gas distension in the small bowel (Figure 1A). A contrast-enhanced abdominal CT performed outside of our hospital showed the small bowel with wall enhancement and fluid collection at the right obturator foramen, indicative of obturator hernia (Figure 1B). Evaluation of the proximal portion of the herniated bowel showed a tubular structure connected with the small bowel (Figure 1C). On precontrast image, subtle heterogeneous high attenuation was noted at the herniated bowel wall, suspicious of mural hemorrhage (Figure 1D). These imaging findings suggested obturator hernia with incarcerated small bowel.
Figure 1.
A 76-year-old woman diagnosed with obturator hernia and Meckel's diverticulum. Abdominal supine radiograph shows the ileus with gas distension in the small bowel (A). Axial contrast-enhanced abdominal CT image shows the herniated Meckel’s diverticulum (arrow) at the right obturator foramen (B). Axial contrast-enhanced abdominal CT image shows the tubular structure (arrow head) connecting to the herniated Meckel’s diverticulum with the dilated proximal (black arrow) and collapsed distal small bowel (white arrow) (C). Axial precontrast abdominal CT image shows the subtle heterogeneous high attenuation of the herniated Meckel’s diverticular wall (arrow) (D).
Immediate nasogastric tube decompression was performed in the emergency room and the general surgeon was notified. With a working diagnosis of acute small bowel obstruction, the patient was instantly admitted to the general surgery (GS) department followed by emergency laparoscopic herniorrhaphy.
During surgery, the herniated small bowel was verified as herniated Meckel’s diverticulum (Figure 2A). The Meckel’s diverticulum was herniated into the right obturator foramen and showed gross hemorrhagic changes, confirming incarceration (Figure 2B). After successfully reducing the incarcerated Meckel’s diverticulum, a diverticulectomy was performed and the obturator foramen was restored using a medium-sized cone mesh. The histology of the resected specimen was concordant for Meckel’s diverticulum with hemorrhagic transmural infarction. The patient recovered without major complications and was discharged after 10 days of hospitalization.
Figure 2.
Laparoscopic image shows the herniation of Meckel’s diverticulum into the right obturator foramen (A). Laparoscopic image shows the gross hemorrhagic changes of Meckel’s diverticulum (B).
3. Discussion
Obturator hernia is a relatively rare type of abdominal hernia, characterized by herniation of abdominal contents through the obturator foramen. The prevalence of obturator hernia is approximately 0.07% - 1% of all hernias (6). Typically, it occurs in multiparous older women or patients with chronically raised intra-abdominal pressure. In general, obturator hernias are asymptomatic and difficult to diagnose unless mechanical obstruction followed by strangulation of the herniated bowels evokes severe abdominal pain. In 48% of the reported cases, pressure is applied to the obturator nerve by the herniated bowel, causing Howship-Romberg sign (pain and paresthesia along the inner aspect of the thigh, down to the knee) (7).
Meckel’s diverticulum is considered the most common structural congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract, with an approximate 2% incidence rate (8). Although men are twice as likely to have complications, Meckel’s diverticulum is as common in women as in men (8). Normally, most individuals with Meckel’s diverticulum remain asymptomatic until they experience complications. Gastrointestinal hemorrhage is the most common complication, presenting in about 30% of symptomatic cases (9). Small bowel obstruction is the second most common complication, followed by inflammation and perforation. The existence of Meckel’s diverticulum in a hernia, defined as Littre hernia, is quite rare (4, 10).
In this case, the patient had coexistence of these two rare diseases: obturator hernia containing Meckel’s diverticulum. This combination of infrequent illnesses is unusual, with only a few surgical cases reported in the literature (3, 4). Thereby, we report this case to discuss significant radiologic findings.
Abdominal CT scans with contrast enhancement have proven to be effective in identifying both obturator hernia and Meckel’s diverticulum with complications (1, 4, 5). Incarcerated obturator hernia can be diagnosed by locating the herniated sac between the pectineal and obturator muscle, superior and medial fasciculi of obturator externus muscle, and external and internal obturator muscles. Asymptomatic Meckel’s diverticulum alone may appear as a fluid-or air-filled pouch that arises from the antimesenteric side of the distal ileum (8). Typical CT findings of complicated Meckel’s diverticulum include small bowel obstruction and extravasation of contrast material when a gastrointestinal hemorrhage is present.
CT and magnetic resonance imaging findings of previous surgical literature reporting cases of obturator Littre hernia showed a small intestine loop herniated through the obturator foramen with dilatation of the proximal small bowel (11, 12) . In our case, the herniated Meckel’s diverticulum was positioned at the right obturator foramen (Figure 1B) and the transition site of the small bowel was observed as a tubular structure (Figure 1C). At first, the lesion was suspected to be incarceration of the small bowel. Finally, intraoperative findings confirmed that the herniated small bowel was actually Meckel’s diverticulum.
The only treatment for obturator hernia is surgery and repair of the hernia orifice. The treatment of choice for symptomatic Meckel’s diverticulum is surgical resection, either by diverticulectomy or by segmental bowel resection (2). In our case, after successfully reducing the herniated Meckel’s diverticulum, the patient underwent diverticulectomy.
In conclusion, although very rare, Littre’s hernia may also arise in the obturator foramen. To the best of our knowledge, this case report is the first radiology case in the literature reporting obturator Littre’s hernia. Early diagnosis and rapid surgical intervention are significant in preventing morbidity and mortality from obturator Littre’s hernia. Therefore, radiologists and clinicians should be aware of its clinical manifestation and radiologic findings.
