Femoral Hernia with Small Bowel Obstruction on CT Scans

Findings

The CT scans demonstrate a bowel loop in the femoral canal with proximal small bowel dilatation.

Discussion

A femoral hernia lies in the femoral canal, medial to the femoral vein. Because of the narrowness of the femoral ring (the opening that forms the neck of a femoral hernia), it is more likely than an inguinal hernia to become incarcerated. Femoral hernias are most common in elderly women, typically presenting as a groin lump. The incidence of strangulation in femoral hernias is high.

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