Umbilical Varix Herniating Through Umbilical Defect and Mimicking Incarcerated Hernia

Abstract

The patient is a 43-year-old male with medical history significant for severe alcoholic cirrhosis who presented with a one-month history of periumbilical pain. The patient did not have any symptoms of bowel obstruction. Physical examination revealed an umbilical defect containing an intra-abdominal structure, mimicking incarcerated umbilical hernia. Computed tomography revealed an engorged, umbilical varix 1.6 cm in diameter, herniating through the umbilical defect. No surgical intervention was offered for this patient and medical management for varix resulted in clinical resolution in three months.

Keywords

• portal hypertension
• umbilical hernia