Falciform ligament hernia: combination of key CT findings

Abstract

A male patient in his early 90s with no history of abdominal surgery was referred to us for abdominal pain and vomiting. An abdominal computed tomography (CT) demonstrated dilated small bowel with a double beak sign and poorly enhanced wall, which indicated a closed-loop obstruction that leads to strangulation. A closed-loop bowel was located in front of the anterior and medial segments of the liver and to the right of the round ligament of the liver on axial images. Sagittal images revealed that the round ligament has deviated downward and 2 adjacent narrowed intestines were located at its cranial side. These CT findings suggested the hernia orifice was in the falciform ligament. Emergency surgery for highly suspected bowel ischemia revealed the falciform ligament hernia. A combination of the CT findings played a key role, including the double beak sign, the location of the closed-loop small bowel, and the downward deviation of the round ligament, although preoperative CT diagnosis of falciform ligament hernia is a diagnostic challenge.

Keywords

• Falciform ligament hernia
• Internal hernia
• Double beak sign
• Round ligament of the liver