Emergency department diagnosis of an ovarian inguinal hernia in an 11-year-old female using point-of-care ultrasound

Inguinal ovarian hernia on point of care ultrasound: case reports and review of the literature

An inguinal mass may be an incidental finding on physical examination. There are few descriptions of pediatric hernia with ovarian content in the pediatric emergency literature, and no recommendations for routine point of care ultrasound (POCUS) evaluation of inguinal hernia. We present three cases of ovarian content within an inguinal hernia sac found on POCUS by a pediatric emergency physician, and discuss ultrasound technique and implications of these findings. Inguinal masses should routinely be evaluated with POCUS in order to prevent forceful reduction efforts that may damage the ovary, and to allow for effective surgical triage and early involvement of surgical subspecialists.

Using Point-of-Care Ultrasound to Characterize Acute Inguinal Swelling of Young Children in the Pediatric Emergency Department

Acute inguinal swelling in young children is frequently assumed to be an inguinal hernia, often prompting a bedside reduction attempt. We report 3 cases of inguinal swelling where the use of point-of-care ultrasound changed the patients' management by identifying an alternate diagnosis, thus avoiding unnecessary and painful procedures as well as their associated sedation risks.