Internal hernia: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 11:05, 15 February 2025

An overview of internal hernias, their types, causes, and clinical significance

Overview

An internal hernia is a condition where an internal organ, typically a part of the intestine, protrudes through a defect within the peritoneal cavity. Unlike external hernias, internal hernias occur within the confines of the abdominal cavity and are not visible externally. They can lead to serious complications such as intestinal obstruction and ischemia.

File:InternalHernia.svg

Diagram illustrating an internal hernia

Types of Internal Hernias

Internal hernias can be classified based on their location and the structures involved. The main types include:

Paraduodenal Hernia

Paraduodenal hernias are the most common type of internal hernia. They occur when the small intestine herniates through a defect near the duodenum. These hernias are further divided into left and right paraduodenal hernias, depending on their location relative to the duodenum.

Foramen of Winslow Hernia

This type of hernia occurs when abdominal contents herniate through the foramen of Winslow, an opening that connects the lesser sac to the greater sac of the peritoneal cavity.

Transmesenteric Hernia

Transmesenteric hernias occur when the intestine herniates through a defect in the mesentery, the tissue that attaches the intestines to the posterior abdominal wall.

Pericecal Hernia

Pericecal hernias involve the herniation of intestinal loops around the cecum, the beginning of the large intestine.

Sigmoid Mesocolon Hernia

This type involves herniation through defects in the sigmoid mesocolon, the mesentery associated with the sigmoid colon.

Causes

Internal hernias can be congenital or acquired. Congenital internal hernias are due to developmental anomalies, such as abnormal rotation of the midgut during fetal development. Acquired internal hernias may result from surgical procedures, trauma, or inflammation that creates defects or spaces within the peritoneal cavity.

Clinical Presentation

Patients with internal hernias may present with symptoms of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and signs of bowel obstruction. The symptoms can be intermittent and vary in severity, making diagnosis challenging. Imaging studies, such as CT scans, are often used to identify internal hernias.

Treatment

The treatment of internal hernias typically involves surgical intervention to reduce the hernia and repair the defect. In cases of bowel ischemia, resection of the affected bowel segment may be necessary.

Related pages

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Internal Hernia''' is a type of [[hernia]] where the [[viscera]] protrudes through a normal or abnormal aperture within the confines of the [[abdominal cavity]]. It is a rare cause of [[intestinal obstruction]].
+{{Short description|An overview of internal hernias, their types, causes, and clinical significance}}
-== Causes ==
+==Overview==
-Internal hernias can be congenital or acquired. Congenital internal hernias occur due to developmental anomalies, while acquired internal hernias can occur due to previous surgery, trauma, or inflammation.
+An '''internal hernia''' is a condition where an internal organ, typically a part of the [[intestine]], protrudes through a defect within the [[peritoneal cavity]]. Unlike external hernias, internal hernias occur within the confines of the abdominal cavity and are not visible externally. They can lead to serious complications such as [[intestinal obstruction]] and [[ischemia]].
-== Types ==
+[[File:InternalHernia.svg|thumb|right|Diagram illustrating an internal hernia]]
-There are several types of internal hernias, including:
-* '''[[Paraduodenal hernia]]''': This is the most common type of internal hernia.
-* '''[[Foramen of Winslow hernia]]''': This is a hernia through the foramen of Winslow into the lesser sac.
-* '''[[Transmesenteric hernia]]''': This is a hernia through a defect in the mesentery.
-* '''[[Pericecal hernia]]''': This is a hernia in the pericecal fossae.
-* '''[[Intersigmoid hernia]]''': This is a hernia into the intersigmoid fossa.
-* '''[[Supravesical hernia]]''': This is a hernia into the supravesical fossa.
-== Symptoms ==
+==Types of Internal Hernias==
-The symptoms of an internal hernia can vary depending on the type and location of the hernia. They can include:
+Internal hernias can be classified based on their location and the structures involved. The main types include:
-* [[Abdominal pain]]
-* [[Nausea]]
-* [[Vomiting]]
-* [[Abdominal distension]]
-* [[Obstipation]]
-== Diagnosis ==
+===Paraduodenal Hernia===
-The diagnosis of an internal hernia is often challenging due to its nonspecific clinical presentation. It is often made by [[computed tomography]] (CT) scan, which can show the herniated bowel and the site of obstruction.
+Paraduodenal hernias are the most common type of internal hernia. They occur when the small intestine herniates through a defect near the [[duodenum]]. These hernias are further divided into left and right paraduodenal hernias, depending on their location relative to the duodenum.
-== Treatment ==
+===Foramen of Winslow Hernia===
-The treatment of an internal hernia is surgical. The surgery involves reducing the hernia and closing the defect. In some cases, if the bowel is strangulated and necrotic, a bowel resection may be necessary.
+This type of hernia occurs when abdominal contents herniate through the [[foramen of Winslow]], an opening that connects the lesser sac to the greater sac of the peritoneal cavity.
-== See Also ==
+===Transmesenteric Hernia===
+Transmesenteric hernias occur when the intestine herniates through a defect in the [[mesentery]], the tissue that attaches the intestines to the posterior abdominal wall.
+===Pericecal Hernia===
+Pericecal hernias involve the herniation of intestinal loops around the [[cecum]], the beginning of the large intestine.
+===Sigmoid Mesocolon Hernia===
+This type involves herniation through defects in the [[sigmoid mesocolon]], the mesentery associated with the sigmoid colon.
+==Causes==
+Internal hernias can be congenital or acquired. Congenital internal hernias are due to developmental anomalies, such as abnormal rotation of the [[midgut]] during fetal development. Acquired internal hernias may result from surgical procedures, trauma, or inflammation that creates defects or spaces within the peritoneal cavity.
+==Clinical Presentation==
+Patients with internal hernias may present with symptoms of [[abdominal pain]], [[nausea]], [[vomiting]], and signs of bowel obstruction. The symptoms can be intermittent and vary in severity, making diagnosis challenging. Imaging studies, such as [[CT scans]], are often used to identify internal hernias.
+==Treatment==
+The treatment of internal hernias typically involves surgical intervention to reduce the hernia and repair the defect. In cases of bowel ischemia, resection of the affected bowel segment may be necessary.
+==Related pages==
 * [[Hernia]]
-* [[Abdominal pain]]
 * [[Intestinal obstruction]]
+* [[Abdominal cavity]]
 [[Category:Medical conditions]]
-[[Category:Surgical procedures]]
 [[Category:Gastroenterology]]
-{{stub}}