COLONIC LUMBAR HERNIA THROUGH A CONGENITA L BONE DEFECT IN A CASE OF NEUROFIBROMATOSIS TYPE-I

We report here a case of an asymptomatic lumbar hernia through a conge nital defect of the posterior abdominal wall secondary to hypoplasia o f the left part of the neural arch of L5 and S1. The bone defect was r elated to the neurofibromatosis of the patient. Plain radiograms showe d a scoliosis and the bone defect. CT scan confirmed the osseous abnor malities and demonstrated a left colonic herniation through the bone d efect. Many cases of lumbar hernia secondary to weakness of the abdomi nal muscles or following bone defects after bone graft harvesting, sur gery or trauma have been described. This is, to our knowledge, the fir st case report of a lumbar hernia secondary to a congenital bone defec t.