A left paraduodenal hernia is a protrusion of the small intestine through the paraduodenal fossa, a congenital defect situated to the left of the fourth portion of the duodenum. Imaging studies often play a central role in diagnosing left paraduodenal hernias, as they are not easily identified clinically. Surgery is the treatment of choice. We report a case of left paraduodenal hernia in a 27-year-old female patient. The patient had shown no symptoms until six days before hospitalization. A CT scan suggested the diagnosis of left paraduodenal hernia. After an unsuccessful laparoscopic attempt, a laparotomy was performed. Open surgery consisted in removing adhesions between the hernia and peritoneum, reducing jejunal loops and closing the paraduodenal fossa. The postoperative period was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the third postoperative day.

A tuberculose intestinal geralmente é uma complicação da doença pulmonar, pela deglutição de escarro infectado. Com o advento da SIDA, houve aumento importante na incidência de tuberculose de uma forma geral. Ocorre com maior freqüência em países tropicais e subdesenvolvidos. A região ileocecal constitui o sítio de maior comprometimento. Palidez, perda ponderal, sudorese noturna e febre são os achados mais comuns ao exame físico. Dor abdominal é o principal achado no exame abdominal. A complicação mais freqüente é a obstrução intestinal. O diagnóstico pré-operatório é muito difícil, sendo o de certeza dado pelo exame histopatológico ou em culturas de tecidos. O tratamento cirúrgico está indicado nos casos das raras complicações.

Intestinal tuberculosis occurs often as a pulmonary disease complication, when infected sputum is swallowed. With AIDS there was a significant increasement of tuberculosis in all of it forms. It happens more often in tropical and third world countries. The ileocecal is the site with most commitment. Paleness, weight loss, night sweats and fever are the most common findings on physical examination. Abdominal pain is the main finding in the abdominal examination. The most frequent complication is intestinal obstruction. The preoperative diagnosis is very difficult, and the certainty provided by histopathological examination or in tissue culture. Surgical treatment is indicated in cases of rare complications.