[Round ligament varicosities mimicking inguinal hernia during pregnancy]

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2009:153:A169.
[Article in Dutch]

Abstract

3 pregnant women, aged 34, 28, and 39 years respectively, presented with an inguinal swelling. In one patient the swelling was bilateral and painful. Reposition was possible and ultrasound examination revealed round ligament varicosities, the most common cause of an inguinal swelling during pregnancy. Expectative treatment is advised as the condition usually disappears after parturition. It is concluded that in every pregnant woman with an inguinal swelling, sonography with doppler imaging must be performed to confirm the diagnosis of round ligament varicosities to avoid unnecessary surgery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Hernia, Inguinal / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / diagnostic imaging
  • Round Ligament of Uterus / blood supply*
  • Round Ligament of Uterus / diagnostic imaging
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex
  • Varicose Veins / diagnosis*
  • Varicose Veins / diagnostic imaging
  • Young Adult