Inguinal hernia plug mimics pelvic mass on CT and PET

An inguinal plug from prior hernia repair can appear as a soft tissue pelvic mass, mimicking lymphadenopathy. Recognizing its characteristic triangular shape and location prevents false-positive cancer staging on CT and PET.

• Teaching point: Inguinal plugs are deliberately placed mesh components that can simulate a mass or lymph node on cross-sectional imaging.
• Target audience: Radiology residents, general radiologists, and nuclear medicine physicians interpreting oncologic PET/CT.
• Awareness of this benign postoperative finding avoids unnecessary workup or upstaging.

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