A rare presentation of linea alba hernia involving fibrolipoma of the hepatic round ligament: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND: Linea alba hernias are relatively rare types of hernias. They manifest as small protrusions situated in the linea alba between the umbilicus and xiphoid cartilage. Usually, hernia contents comprise the pre-peritoneal fat, omentum, and gastrointestinal tract. However, very few cases of linea alba hernias involving the hepatic round ligament have been reported, to date. CASE PRESENTATION: An 80-year-old woman presented with upper abdominal pain and a 1-week history of a mass in the upper midline. Abdominal computed tomography revealed adipose tissue protruding from the abdominal wall contiguous with the hepatic round ligament, suggesting a linea alba hernia. During surgery, the hernial sac content was found to be a mass, which was resected. A linea alba hernia defect measuring 20 mm was repaired using a mesh. Histopathological findings revealed that the mass included mature adipocyte proliferation with broad fibrous septa, which was diagnosed as fibrolipoma of the hepatic round ligament. CONCLUSIONS: We report the first case of a linea alba hernia involving fibrolipoma of the hepatic round ligament worldwide and describe the clinical features, diagnosis, and surgical procedure with a literature review.