Antenatal diagnosis and management of fetal inguinoscrotal hernia: A case report with literature review

Abstract

Primary inguinal hernia is a common pediatric surgical condition with an incidence of 1%-4%, which is higher in male or premature newborns. It is characterized by the protrusion of abdominal contents through inguinal canal in newborns. However, prenatal fetal inguinal hernia is a rare condition because the pressure of amniotic fluid is similar to intra-abdominal pressure. Only 19 English publications were found with 21 reported cases until now. We report belatedly discovered inguinoscrotal hernia at 38⁺⁰ weeks' gestation. Usually, the fetal testicular descent begins from 24 to 25 weeks' gestation, and it is found after 32 weeks of gestational age in 97% of the fetuses. Therefore, it is necessary to get into the habit of checking fetal testicles during routine US after at least 32 weeks of gestational age.

Keywords: fetal inguinal hernia; fetal inguinoscrotal hernia; scrotal mass.