[5] The first clear description of anterior abdominal wall pain arising from structures other than the underlying viscera was Edgar Ferdinand Cyriax in 1919.
[6] Cyriax considered that pain could be mimicked by lesions that arose from the vertebra, ribs or other associated structure or that they were the result of direct irritation of intercostal nerves.
The support hernias include: vault prolapse, enterocele, cystocele, rectocele and uterine decensus.
In cases where the diagnosis is suspected but clinically unconfirmed, additional investigation using radiography or ultrasonography may be helpful.
There is frequently a plausible precipitating factor such as local trauma, a bout of coughing or anticoagulant therapy.
The diagnosis can be confirmed on ultrasound examination and a conservative approach to treatment can be adopted provided that the hematoma does not enlarge.