Internal supravesical hernia as a rare cauase of intestinal obstruction: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Supravesical hernias develop at the supravesical fossa between the remnants of the urachus and the left or right umbilical artery. They are often the cause of intestinal obstruction. We describe the anatomical variant of the supravesical hernia in this case and discuss the pre-operative findings revealed by computed tomography. We discuss diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and review other anatomical variants. CASE PRESENTATION: A 60-year-old Senegalese man was admitted with a two-day history of small bowel obstruction. A physical examination showed abdominal distension. An abdominal X-ray revealed dilated small bowel loops. A computed tomography scan showed an image at the left iliac fossa that suggested an intussusception. A median laparotomy showed a left lateral internal supravesical hernia. The hernia was reduced and the defect was closed. The patient recovered uneventfully. CONCLUSIONS: Supravesical hernia is a possible cause of intestinal obstruction and diagnosis is very often made intraoperatively. Morphological examinations, such as computed tomography scanning, can lead to a preoperative diagnosis. Laparoscopy may be useful for diagnosis and therapy.