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Round ligament varices: sonographic appearance in pregnancy
Author(s) -
McKenna D. A.,
Carter J. T.,
Poder L.,
Gosnell J. E.,
Maa J.,
Pearl J. M.,
Goldstein R. B.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.202
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1469-0705
pISSN - 0960-7692
DOI - 10.1002/uog.5271
Subject(s) - medicine , groin , pregnancy , varices , clinical significance , surgery , hernia , physical examination , inguinal hernia , radiology , general surgery , genetics , cirrhosis , biology
Round ligament varices (RLV) are an important clinical entity as they may cause hernia‐like symptoms in the absence of a true hernia. When this condition is diagnosed correctly, unnecessary intervention may be prevented. We aimed to determine the significance and anatomy of RLV in pregnancy and to review and describe their clinical and sonographic appearance. We followed prospectively five patients who presented during pregnancy with clinical symptoms suspicious of an inguinal hernia. All patients were diagnosed with RLV on ultrasound examination. All patients were managed conservatively and in all five cases, RLV resolved spontaneously postpartum. The diagnosis of RLV should be considered in pregnant women presenting with a groin mass. Sonography is diagnostic and can save unnecessary surgical exploration and associated morbidity. Copyright © 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.