Purpose or Case Report: Located at the border between the abdomen and the groin, the inguinal region can be a cause for consternation for the practicing radiologist. The inguinal canal can be a site for pathology secondary to abdominal or scrotal pathology. Though lymphadenitis is the most common cause of an inguinal mass in a child, a variety of conditions can result in an inguinal mass.

The purpose of our poster is to review the imaging appearance and differential diagnosis of various potential causes of nonmalignant inguinal masses in children.
Methods & Materials: Our cases will be derived from the archives of two tertiary level childrens’ hospitals We present a pictorial essay reviewing the embryology, anatomy, and nonmalignant pathologies that can present as an inguinal mass in pediatric patients.
Results: Our poster will be organized as follows:
1. Normal anatomy of the inguinal region.
2. Normal embryology of the inguinal region.
3. Benign pathologies with emphasis on imaging findings and differential diagnosis:
a. Inflammatory: Lymphadenitis/abscesses
b. Congenital: Hydrocele, funicular cyst, meconium peritonitis.
Hernia--including bowel/omentum, ovaries, uterine, bladder
c. Gonadal: undescended testicle (including androgen insensitivity), retractile testis, ovotestis
d. Vascular: varicocele, pseudoaneurysm, hematomas
Conclusions: Non-malignant conditions affecting the inguinal canal can be normal variants, congenital anomalies, vascular abnormalities, and infectious or inflammatory processes. The inguinal region requires careful attention to avoid misdiagnosis.