Acquired neurogenic abdominal wall weakness simulating abdominal hernia.

Abdominal hernia is the result of a defect in the supporting structures through which a contained organ or tissue may protrude [1]. Damage to the intercostal or upper lumbar nerves, which supply the abdominal wall musculature, may mimic a hernia by its appearance as an abdominal wall bulging. We describe four patients in whom abdominal wall bulging appeared after acquired denervation of the abdominal wall. In three of the cases, surgical repair of ` an abdominal hernia` was offered but deferred, and the ` bulge'' subsequently disappeared.