A Case of Inguinal Endometriosis Treated with Exploratory Laparoscopy

Abstract

A 42-year-old woman visited our hospital for a complaint of a right inguinal painful mass accompanying menstruation for a half year. Physical examination revealed a 15-mm mass in the right inguinal area, which was painful and irreducible. Abdominal CT and MRI revealed a soft tissue tumor that was continuous from the peritoneal cavity to the right inguinal canal. Considering all possible causes, inguinal endometriosis accompanied by inguinal hernia was diagnosed. A surgical procedure for diagnosis and resection was performed because of her wish for future pregnancy. Exploratory laparoscopy revealed the absence of ectopic endometriosis in the peritoneal cavity and the presence of a right indirect hernia. Inguinal mass resection and hernia repair were performed through an anterior approach. A pathological examination diagnosed endometriosis of the inguinal canal. There has been no recurrence of endometriosis for four years since the surgical procedure. This case shows that exploratory laparoscopy for inguinal endometriosis is useful to check for a lesion in the peritoneum cavity, especially in patients who cannot tolerate medication after surgical resection.