A 3-month-old female with an inguinal mass.
BACKGROUND
Inguinal masses are a common finding among infants. The differential diagnosis of these masses in infants is broad, with inguinal hernia being the most common diagnosis in both males and females. However, the evaluation and management of males vs. females with inguinal masses is somewhat different due to the greater potential for gonad involvement in males.


OBJECTIVE
The pathophysiology and management of inguinal hernias is discussed with a specific focus on inguinal hernias in females.


METHODS
We present a case of a 3-month-old girl with an inguinal hernia and a mass, found to be an incarcerated ovary.


CONCLUSIONS
Inguinal masses in infancy are common, with inguinal hernia being the most common cause by far. A female infant with suspected inguinal hernia should be thoroughly evaluated to determine whether ovarian content is present.
Hennelly
Kara
K
Division of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Shannon
Michael
M
D005260:Female; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery