Incarcerated ovarian herniation of the canal of Nuck in a female infant: Ultrasonographic findings and review of literature

摘要

Introduction Inguinal hernia with containing the ovary presenting as a palpable groin mass is an uncommon congenital condition, and it may cause complications such as strangulation, torsion, and infertility. We present a case of ovarian herniation into inguinal canal with sonographic findings. Presentation of case A 15-day-old infant girl visited our hospital with the complaints of palpable mass in the right groin. On physical examination, a palpable non-movable mass was found in the right inguinal region, and it was irreducible. During sonographic examination, a well-circumscribed solid mass containing small cysts was found. Then, oophorectomy with high inguinal ligation was performed, and the patient was doing well after surgery. Discussion The canal of Nuck is an abnormal patent pouch of the parietal peritoneum extending to the round ligament of the uterus into the labia majora through the inguinal ring. When this canal obliterates incompletely, inguinal herniation of ovary or hydrocele occur in the female children. In the clinical practice, ovarian herniation should be differentiated from a hernia containing intestine, fat, fluid, or lymph nodes. Therefore, a careful sonographic evaluation is mandatory to make an accurate diagnosis in female infants with palpable inguinal mass. Conclusion Ultrasound (US) with color Doppler US can be helpful to the diagnosis of ovarian herniation through the canal of Nuck and hernia-related complications. Highlights ? The canal of Nuck is an abnormal patent pouch of the parietal peritoneum extending to the round ligament of the uterus into the labia majora through the inguinal ring into the inguinal canal. ? Incomplete obliteration of canal of Nuck can result in either an inguinal hernia or a hydrocoele in female children. ? Awareness of ovarian herniation through the canal of Nuck and its embryologic mechanisms can be helpful for the identification of this disease and the prevention of its unexpected complication in clinical practice.