Subcutaneous Lipoma Mimicking Irreducible Inguinal Hernia

Abstract

Inguinal or groin region is an area of diagnostic mysteries. It is usually associated with a painless or painful swellings. Swellings in this area can be congenital or acquired, acute or chronic, single or multiple, soft to hard, mobile to immobile and appear suddenly or gradually. Commonest swelling in this region is a  simple direct or indirect inguinal hernia in children and adults with a positive cough impulse. The next common lump is a femoral hernia, hydrocoele, sebaceous cyst or an enlarged reactive or malignant lymph node. Other uncommon Differential diagnosis includes ectopic testes, funiculitis, femoral artery aneurysm, pseudoaneurysm, hidradenitis, epididymitis, varicocele and abscess. Subcutaneous lipoma is a rare condition which can mimic a diagnosis of irreducible indirect inguinal hernia and other diagnostic problems for the attending physicians. We present a case of groin lipoma mimicking irreducible right sided indirect inguinal hernia in young healthy man.