Carcinoma of the sigmoid presenting as a right inguinal hernia

We present the case of a 44-year-old man who presented with nausea, vomiting and acute pain in the right groin. On physical examination an irreducible mass was palpated in the right inguinal region. Ultrasound suggested an inguinal hernia sac with bowel contents. Subsequent right inguinal exploration revealed only unspecified necrotizing tissue, but no hernia sac or bowel contents were identified. Two days later laparotomy was required since the inguinal wound produced faecal discharge. The sigmoid appeared to be necrotic and perforated, and was subsequently resected. Histology revealed a perforated adenocarcinoma without lymph node involvement. Incarcerated inguinal hernias containing an adenocarcinoma of the colon are rare, but should be considered in patients presenting with an irreducible palpable mass in the inguinal region. Moreover, a carcinoma of the sigmoid may invade the right inguinal region. An intestinal perforation to skin-level in this population is even rarer and is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates.