Traumatic lumbar hernia: A case series

The purpose of this series is to review the anatomy of typical hernia locations, outline characteristic imaging findings and highlight pitfalls in imaging. We will first review the anatomy of the region. Subsequently we will identify key findings on computed tomography and nuances in interpretation. Review of 4 cases which demonstrate different patterns and associated visceral injuries. Traumatic lumbar hernias are a rare clinical finding with potentially devastating consequences, typically occurring in the context of high velocity trauma such as road traffic accidents. Hernias can be missed on initial imaging. It is important to communicate to clinical teams regarding the pitfalls including herniation of solid organ viscera into hernia sac which can lead to life threatening states such as bowel ischemia. Our cases highlight key clues to correct diagnosis.