Fish bone within an inguinal hernia

We present a case of a 73-year-old male referred to the emergency department of our hospital, diagnosed with an incarcerated rith inguinal hernia. Examination revealed a slightly painful rith inguinal tumor and pain with mass effect in right iliac fossa.An abdominal ultrasound and CT scan were requested, and showed a retrocaecally located collection extending to the pelvis and partially into a right inguinal hernia with accompanying fat tissue, where a punctiform high density image was found.Surgical intervention revealed a purulent retrocaecal collection and an inguinal hernia with fatty content and a foreign body in it (2 cm-long fish bone).Preoperative diagnosis of intestinal perforation by foreign bodies is extremely rare. Helical and multidetector-row CT can be highly sensitive and specific because of interval and multiplanar reconstruction.This accurate diagnosis will ensure a specific treatment to each case.