Obturator hernia is a rare clinical entity usually presenting with strangulation. Preoperative diagnosis is seldom made and this has contributed to a high. mortality. One should suspect a strangulated obturator hernia in an elderly thin female patient presenting with vague abdominal symptoms or intestinal obstruction associated with a positive Howship-Romberg sign. Urgent laparotomy is indicated to establish the diagnosis and for resection of bowel if indicated.