[Ultrasound assessment in diagnosis of uncomplicated inguinal hernia]

Abstract

After the introduction of ultrasound (US) into general surgical practice one could hardly find more available and noninvasive technique for evaluation of groin pathology. We present an original US procedure elaborated for distinct visualization of soft tissues structures in patients with inguinal hernias. The inguinal region was examined preoperatively in 91 cases (US linear scanner with a 7.5 MHz transducer frequency, "LOGIQ 700 MR", General Electric). The technique described in details was applied in 91 patients with proved or suspected disease of the groin during two year period. 82 cases had operative verification of the US diagnosis. In 2 cases inguinal hernias were clinically obvious but US test let false positive diagnosis to be avoided. Establishment of true diagnosis was possible in 4 patients with initial inguinal hernia only after US method was used as an additional aid. Ultrasound was found to be helpful in differentiation between processes vaginalis cyst (1 case), round ligament veins engorgement (1 case) and inguinal hernia. As for hernia type the sonograms have predicted surgical findings correctly in 84.3% and 71.1% for indirect and direct inguinal hernias, respectively. Descriptive statistics of definite inguinal canal structures by US measurement are also included in the article. Sonography is a valuable modality in the preoperative examination of groin region in patients with inguinal hernia.