Unusual groin swellings.

It is important to remember that a swelling in the groin may be part of a generalized disease or may arise from a structure peculiar to the region. It is therefore pertinent in patients presenting with swellings in the groin always to examine the groin in conjunction with the rest of the body and not in isolation. Careful examination of the patient's axilla, neck and abdomen will indicate whether or not the swelling is part of a widely distributed disorder, for example, lymphoma or leukaemia or an infection. The groin is an area around the flexure crease of the hip which comprises part of the lower abdominal wall including the inguinal canal and upper part of the thigh and part of the perineum. The main structures present are the skin, subcutaneous tissue, lymph nodes, femoral blood vessels, long saphenous veins and the inguinal and femoral canals. The lymph nodes drain the perineum, perianal area, lower abdominal wall and the lower limb. Infection or tumour in any of these regions may produce enlargement of the inguinal lymph nodes.