Lymphogranuloma venereum vs. incarcerated inguinal hernia: the Gordian knot unraveled.

A 33-year-old woman presented with a two-day history of left inguinal pain and a palpable "knot." She was suspected of having an incarcerated inguinal hernia but instead was found to have lymphogranuloma venereum. The diagnosis is typically made from a history and physical examination, but may be supported by serologic complement fixation studies or by testing of lesion aspirates using immunofluorescent antibody testing.