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Case Reports
. 2014 Jul;33(3):216-21.
doi: 10.14366/usg.14006. Epub 2014 Mar 18.

Ultrasonographic diagnosis of round ligament varicosities mimicking inguinal hernia: report of two cases with literature review

Kyeong Hwa Ryu  1 , Jung-Hee Yoon
Affiliations
Case Reports

Ultrasonographic diagnosis of round ligament varicosities mimicking inguinal hernia: report of two cases with literature review

Kyeong Hwa Ryu et al. Ultrasonography. 2014 Jul.

Abstract

Round ligament varicosities are rare, and the mass mimics an inguinal hernia. Round ligament varicosities should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a groin swelling in a female, especially during pregnancy. The diagnosis of round ligament varicosities can be established on grayscale and color Doppler ultrasonography. We report two cases of round ligament varicosities in a 33-year-old non pregnant woman and a 28-year-old pregnant woman, and these patients were diagnosed using ultrasonography. We also reviewed the literature on round ligament varicosities including the present cases. Ultrasonography is diagnostic and can prevent unnecessary surgical intervention and associated morbidity.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported

Figures

Fig 1.
Fig 1.. A 33-year-old women with round ligament varicosities.
A. Grayscale sagittal ultrasonography shows a mass in the left groin composed of multiple echo-free serpentine tubular channels. B. Color Doppler ultrasonography shows that the lesion is filled with color and the mass shows dilatation and increased flow during the Valsalva maneuver.
Fig 2.
Fig 2.. A 28-year-old women at the 21st week of pregnancy with round ligament varicosities.
A. Grayscale transverse ultrasonography shows an ovoid multiseptated cystic mass in the left groin. B. Color Doppler ultrasonography shows that the lesion is hypervascular. After 5 weeks, follow-up ultrasonography was performed (C-F). The mass in the left groin shows slightly enlarged and composed of multiple anechoic serpentine tubular channels on grayscale ultrasonography (not shown). C. Color Doppler sagittal ultrasonography during Valsalva maneuver. The mass expands and shows marked flow augmentation. D, E. Sagittal ultrasonography of the left groin through the inguinal canal in an erect position. The lesion is enlarged and the vascularities of the mass are markedly engorged. F. These varicose veins between the markers continue to the left parauterine space (arrows) through the inguinal canal (arrowheads).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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