• lumbar hernia

A 64 year man walked into the accident and emergency department with a 24 hour history of swelling in his right flank. Approximately two weeks before his presentation he had developed a painful rash over his right loin. There was no history of trauma. He denied any systemic upset and a review of his gastrointestinal and genitourinary systems was unremarkable. He did however give a history of chickenpox as a child. On examination he appeared …