An unexpected groin mass: Infant ovarian herniation

Abstract

Point-of-care ultrasound provides a safe, rapid, effective, and accurate tool for  evaluating congenital groin masses in infants. We present a 4-week-old infant who presented to the emergency department with bilateral inguinal masses. Point-of-care ultrasonography discovered bilateral hernias with an ovary herniated through a patent processus vaginalis into the labium majora on the right side. The ovarian herniation reduced in the emergency department and the patient was discharged from the  emergency department after arranging close follow-up with a pediatric surgeon for a prompt repair. Its use should be employed early, as delayed discovery of ovarian herniation can lead to subsequent infertility.

Keywords: hernia, ovary, pediatric, ultrasound