109 Small Bowel Obstruction Secondary to Obturator Hernia

Clinical Presentation

A middle-aged woman presents with abdominal pain and vomiting.

Fig. 109.1 (A–C) Axial and coronal contrast-enhanced CT scans show dilation of the small bowel, indicative of a mechanical obstruction. The obstruction is proximal to the herniated bowel loop, seen along the anterolateral pelvic wall between the pectineal and obturator externus muscles (arrows).

Radiologic Findings

Axial and coronal contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scans show dilation of the small bowel, indicative of a mechanical obstruction. The obstruction is proximal to the herniated bowel loop, seen along the anterolateral pelvic wall between the pectineal and obturator externus muscles (Fig. 109.1).

Diagnosis

Small bowel obstruction secondary to obturator hernia

Differential Diagnosis

Other causes of small bowel obstruction

Discussion

Background

Obturator hernias occur when the peritoneal sac and its contents protrude through the obturator canal. The hernia sac protrudes between the obturator externus and the pectineus muscle. These hernias may also be found between the superior and medial fasciculi of the obturator externus muscle or the external and internal obturator muscles.