Case history
Case history
A 68-year-old retired laborer presents to his primary medical doctor with a 3-week history of a dull dragging discomfort in his right groin toward the end of the day. The discomfort is associated with a lump while standing but disappears when lying supine. He denies any other significant past medical or surgical history. On physical examination, a bulge is present when standing that disappears when supine.
Other presentations
Some patients will complain of a burning sensation in the groin associated with an inguinal bulge. This is indicative of stretching of the peritoneal lining of the hernia sac. A strangulated inguinal hernia may present acutely with a tender, reddish, irreducible lump causing severe colicky abdominal pain, vomiting, and abdominal distension. Bowel sounds may be absent. This is a surgical emergency.
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