title: Umbilical and bilateral inguinal hernias in a veteran powerlifter: is it a pressure-overload syndrome?
abstract: Umbilical, inguinal and hiatal hernias are all thought to occur from basically the same etiology, a malformation in the tissue leading to herniation. The mechanisms for these malformations range from congenital to degenerative. Earlier studies proposed that hiatal hernias result from age-related degenerative changes in the phrenoesophageal ligament leading to subsequent herniation. We found that hiatal hernias occur in young power athletes secondary to intra-abdominal pressure overload of the phrenoesophageal ligament. We present a case of umbilical and bilateral inguinal hernias occurring in a veteran powerlifter. The pathogenesis of multiple hernias and the physiological pressure systems involved in the development of multiple hernias in a power athlete are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, North Shore University-Long Island Jewish Health System, New Hyde Park, NY, USA. drrdd@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Rob D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Dickerman
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Qualls E J
authors.initials: QE
authors.lastname: Stevens
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006554:Hernia, Umbilical / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011312:Pressure / Q000009:adverse effects; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000293:injuries*