Conglomerate of inguinal lymphadenopathies mimicking a strangulated hernia: a case report and review of imaging necessity

A strangulated hernia is a common surgical emergency, often diagnosed clinically and managed without preoperative imaging. We report the case of a female patient admitted for a suspected strangulated inguinal hernia. However, intraoperative exploration revealed a conglomerate of inguinal lymphadenopathies, later diagnosed as lymphoma through histopathological analysis. The surgical procedure involved careful dissection and complete excision of the lymphadenopathy mass. This case underscores the critical importance of considering imaging studies, even when clinical presentation strongly suggests a hernia. A diagnostic algorithm is proposed to guide decision-making in similar scenarios.