Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of groin hernia

The role of dynamic magnetic resonance imaging in exclusion of inguinal hernia in patients suffering from indefinitive groin pain

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to analyze the role of dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients who suffered from groin pain and whose physical examination and ultrasound returned inconclusive/indefinite results, as well as in patients receiving an ongoing assessment for a previous herniotomy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

For this study, 25 patients 14 women and 11 men were selected with a mean age of 41.6 years, including clinical complaints, such as groin pain and or a previous herniotomies. These patients underwent dynamic MRI. Reports were created by a radiology resident and a radiology consultant. Clinical and ultrasound documentation were compared to with imaging results from the MRI.

RESULTS

The results of the dynamic MRI were negative for 23 patients (92%) and positive for two patients (8%). One patient suffered from an indirect hernia and one from a femoral hernia. A repeated hernia was an excluding for the preoperated patients with pain and ongoing assessment.

CONCLUSIONS

Dynamic MRI shows substantially higher diagnostic performance in exclusion of inguinal hernia, when compared to a physical examination and ultrasound. The examination can also be used in assessments to analyze the operation's results.

Imaging modalities for inguinal hernia diagnosis: a systematic review

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to determine which diagnostic modality [Computerized Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), or ultrasound (US)] is more precise in terms of sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing inguinal hernia and sub-type of inguinal hernia (direct or indirect).

METHODS

This systematic review was reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA), and a search for relevant articles was undertaken in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Inclusion criteria were original studies that preoperatively diagnosed patients suspected of inguinal hernia by either CT, MRI, or US and compared diagnostic findings with operative findings or definitive follow-up. The main outcomes were the diagnostic certainty of inguinal hernia and type of hernia by sensitivity and specificity. All eligible studies were searched in the Retraction Watch database to ensure that all included studies were suitable for inclusion.

RESULTS

Bubble charts depicting the size of each patient cohort and percentual range for both sensitivity and specificity showed that US was better than CT and MRI in diagnosing inguinal hernia. Bubble charts for US and CT depicted high values within the studies that reported sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing type of hernia.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that US had the highest sensitivity and specificity. However, it must be taken into consideration that performance is highly dependent on the operator's level of expertise. Based on this systematic review, ultrasound may be the preferred imaging modality when physical examination is inconclusive, given that local expertise in performing US examination for hernia disease is adequate.

High accuracy of ultrasound in diagnosing the presence and type of groin hernia

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the accuracy of ultrasound (US) in diagnosing the the presence and type of groin hernia.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied the results of 172 US examinations of the groin in 151 patients (101 men and 50 women; mean age, 59 years) who had undergone US examination for suspected groin hernia. In total, 119 of the groin hernias had been diagnosed on US, and 108 (91%) had required subsequent surgery. All patients who had had positive results for hernia on US and did not undergo surgery (n = 11) and most of the patients whose US results had been negative for hernia (n = 48) underwent limited MRI or CT scanning. We determined the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of US in diagnosing the presence and type of groin hernia. To identify any change in the accuracy of US over time at our institution, we compared the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of its use from January 2002 through December 2010 (n = 54 groins) with those from January 2011 through December 2012 (n = 118 groins).

RESULTS

The overall rates of sensitivity and specificity of US for diagnosing the presence of groin hernia were 96% and 96%. These rates reflect improvements from 92% and 88% prior to 2011 to 98% and 100% beginning in 2011. In addition, the overall accuracy of US for diagnosing the type of groin hernia was 96%. This also improved over time at our center from 91% prior to 2011 to 98% beginning in 2011.

CONCLUSIONS

US is highly accurate at diagnosing the presence and type of groin hernia.

Meta-analysis of sonography in the diagnosis of inguinal hernias

Groin hernias are common conditions, and there is a need for accurate imaging when the clinical diagnosis is not clear. A meta-analysis was undertaken to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of sonography in the diagnosis of inguinal hernias. After review of literature searches, 9 original articles were included. Data were pooled and statistically analyzed. In the studies included, sensitivity ranged from 92.7% to 100%; specificity ranged from 22.2% to 100%; the positive predictive value ranged from 83.3 to 100%; and the negative predictive value ranged from 40 to 100%. Sonography has overall sensitivity of 96.6 %, specificity of 84.8%, and a positive predictive value of 92.6%. In cases of diagnostic uncertainty, sonography offers value as an initial imaging modality. It has advantages over other radiologic methods, as it is inexpensive and has minimal complications. When the clinical diagnosis of an inguinal hernia is uncertain, sonographic findings should be interpreted in conjunction with clinical judgment, as its diagnostic accuracy is reduced in the absence of any clinically palpable hernia.

MRI and pathology in persistent postherniotomy pain

BACKGROUND

Persistent postherniotomy pain impairs everyday life in 5% to 10% of patients. MRI can potentially be useful in the investigation of pathogenic mechanisms and guide surgeons in mesh removal and neurectomy. No study has investigated interobserver agreement or MRI-specific findings in persistent postherniotomy pain.

STUDY DESIGN

Thirty-two patients with persistent postherniotomy pain > 1 year after uni- or bilateral groin hernia repair and 6 pain-free postherniotomy controls were MRI scanned, resulting in a total of 32 painful groins, 15 pain-free operated groins, and 29 pain-free unoperated groins scanned. Two blinded observers separately assessed groins using a predefined list of possible MRI pathology and anatomic landmarks. Primary outcomes included interobserver agreement assessed by calculating kappa-coefficients. Secondary outcomes included frequency of MRI pathology in painful groins versus unoperated and pain-free groins.

RESULTS

Interobserver agreement was poor, ranging from kappa = 0.24 to 0.55 ("fair" to "moderate") except for "contrast enhancement in groin" (kappa = 0.69, substantial). Pathologic changes in the form of "contrast enhancement in groin," "edema," and "spermatic cord caliber increased" were significantly more often seen in painful versus unoperated groins (p < 0.02). No significant difference was seen when painful and pain-free operated groins were compared (p < 0.05). No pathologic finding was specific or seen in all painful groins.

CONCLUSIONS

Interobserver agreement is low and MRI-assessed pathology unspecific for persistent postherniotomy pain. Additional studies are required on interobserver agreement for pathology before MRI can be recommended as guidance and indication for surgical treatment of persistent postherniotomy pain.

The accuracy of ultrasonography in classification of groin hernias according to the criteria of the unified classification system

BACKGROUND

The modern concept of type-related individualized groin hernia surgery imposes a demand for precise and accurate preoperative determination of the type of groin hernia. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the accuracy of ultrasonography in classification of groin hernias, according to the criteria of the unified classification system. Unified classification divides groin hernias into nine types (grades): type I (indirect, small), II (indirect, medium), III (indirect, large), IV (direct, small), V (direct, medium), VI (direct, large), VII (combined-pantaloon), VIII (femoral), and O (other).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One hundred and twenty-five adult patients with clinically diagnosed or suspected groin hernias were examined. Ultrasonography of both groins was performed with a 5 to 10-MHz linear-array transducer. Preoperative ultrasonographic findings of type of groin hernia were compared with the intraoperative findings, which were considered the gold standard.

RESULTS

Total accuracy of ultrasonography in determination of type of groin hernia was 96% (119 of 124 correct predictions of type of groin hernia compared with surgical explorations). All hernias of types I, IV, V, VII, and VIII were correctly identified with ultrasonography (sensitivity and specificity 100%). In the remaining five cases of the 124 (4%), hernia was incorrectly classified with ultrasonography: type VI (direct, large) was misdiagnosed as type III (indirect, large) in three cases, type III as type VI in one case, and type III as type II (indirect, medium) in one case. The sensitivity and the specificity of ultrasonography in classifying type II were 100 and 99%, respectively, for type III, 85 and 97%, and for type VI, 90 and 99%.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasonography of the groin regions could be used with great accuracy for precise classification of groin hernias in adults. Each type of groin hernia, according to the unified classification system that we used for classification, has a characteristic ultrasonographic presentation, which is demonstrated in this study.

Sports hernias

Sportsman's hernia is an increasingly recognized cause of chronic groin pain in athletes. Although the definition is controversial, it is a condition of chronic inguinal/pubic exertional pain caused by rectus abdominal wall weakness or injury without a palpable hernia, usually affecting high-performance male athletes. Diagnosis is made after careful history and physical examination. Some radiographic studies such as ultrasound or MRI may be helpful in evaluating these patients and ruling out other pathology, although no radiographic study can rule out sportsman's hernias. Because sports hernias are not true hernias but an injury in the rectus insertion, unilateral or bilateral rectus reattachment is the most appropriate surgical treatment. This reattachment may be done in combination with adductor release in the setting of adductor pain or weakness on physical examination. Other surgical repairs (eg, Lichtenstein, Shouldice, Kugel, laparoscopic) do not stabilize the pelvis and tend not to be as successful. In the motivated patient, after surgical repair and physical rehabilitation, 95% are free of pain and able to return to competitive sports.

N, Colatusso RP, Paciornik R. Hérnia de Spiegel bilateral: relato de caso e revisão de literatura

RACIONAL: As hérnias spigelianas são raros defeitos da parede abdominal. Apresentam quadro clínico pouco esclarecedor e com risco real de estrangulamento. RELATO DO CASO: Mulher de 55 anos, apresentava-se com massa endurecida e irredutível em fossa ilíaca esquerda além de aumento localizado da parede abdominal à direita e uma volumosa hérnia umbilical. A tomografia computadorizada de abdome mostrou duas hérnias spigelianas direita e esquerda, com conteúdo encarcerado. O tratamento foi herniorrafia seguida de colocação de tela. CONCLUSÃO: As hérnias de Spiegel caracterizam-se por serem raras e com diagnóstico muitas vezes de exclusão. Necessitam de tratamento cirúrgico pelo importante risco de estrangulamento do seu conteúdo.

Inguinofemoral Hernia: Accuracy of Sonography in Patients with Indeterminate Clinical Features

OBJECTIVE

The objective of our study was to investigate the accuracy of sonography in patients with symptoms suggestive of a hernia and normal or equivocal clinical examination findings.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Fifty-nine consecutive patients (47 men, 12 women; median age, 51 years; range, 19-82 years) were enrolled in a prospective study of sonography and herniography for investigation of inguinofemoral pain. All patients were referred with a history suggestive of hernia but with equivocal clinical features by three experienced surgeons. All patients underwent sonography and herniography examinations performed by experienced radiologists blinded to clinical details. The imaging variables recorded for each side were normal (including posterior inguinal wall bulging), hernia (indirect, direct, femoral, and abdominal wall), or nondiagnostic. The percentage of exact agreement, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated for sonography and herniography and were compared with surgery when performed; then all sides for sonography were compared with herniography.

RESULTS

Surgery was performed in 18 patients (31%) on 21 sides and found hernia (n = 20) and patulous posterior inguinal wall (with no hernia) (n = 1). Compared with surgery, the results of sonography versus herniography, respectively, were exact agreement (91% vs 71%), sensitivity (95% vs 70%), specificity (100% vs 100%), PPV (100% vs 100%), and NPV (50% vs 14%). The sensitivity of sonography was significantly higher than that of herniography (McNemar test, p = 0.025). Both techniques had one false-negative in the same patient. Herniography had five additional false-negatives identified as hernias at sonography and surgery. Compared with herniography as the reference, the sonography findings were in exact agreement in 91% (107/118) of the cases; and sensitivity was 90% (19/21); specificity, 91% (88/97); PPV, 68% (19/28); and NPV, 98% (88/90).

CONCLUSION

Sonography is an accurate technique for the detection of inguinofemoral hernias in patients with clinically equivocal findings.

Abnormalities in and Around the Hip: MR Imaging Versus Sonography

Sonography and MR imaging should be considered complementary rather than competing modalities. They demonstrate similar abnormalities of the soft tissues, but MR imaging is able to demonstrate intraosseous and articular abnormalities and offers a better anatomic overview because of its larger field of view, whereas sonography offers dynamic evaluation and can provide real-time guidance for percutaneous procedures. Both of these modalities have roles in the imaging evaluation of injuries in and around the hip.

Abdominal Wall Hernias: Imaging Features, Complications, and Diagnostic Pitfalls at Multi–Detector Row CT

Abdominal wall hernias are a common imaging finding in the abdomen and may be complicated by strangulation, incarceration, or trauma. Because of the risk of developing complications, most abdominal wall hernias are surgically repaired, even if asymptomatic. However, post-surgical complications are also common and include hernia recurrence, infected and noninfected fluid collections, and complications related to prosthetic material. Multi-detector row computed tomography (CT) with its multiplanar capabilities is particularly useful for the evaluation of unrepaired and surgically repaired abdominal wall hernias. Multi-detector row CT provides exquisite anatomic detail of the abdominal wall, thereby allowing accurate identification of wall hernias and their contents, differentiation of hernias from other abdominal masses (tumors, hematomas, abscesses), and detection of pre- or postoperative complications. These findings improve the communication of imaging results to clinicians and help optimize treatment planning. Knowledge of multi-detector row CT findings in unrepaired and surgically repaired abdominal wall hernias and their complications is essential for making the correct diagnosis and may help guide clinical management.

Inguinal hernias: MRI and ultrasound

This article presents an overview of the key anatomic structures of the groin region as seen on gross anatomy and the appearance of these structures on ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An overview of the sonographic and MRI techniques used in preoperative diagnosis of inguinal hernias is provided, and their value is discussed. Finally, the role of ultrasound and MRI after surgical inguinal hernia repair is addressed.

A strangulated Spigelian hernia mimicking diverticulitis

Spigelian hernias are true interparietal hernias that are frequently not associated with a palpable mass and, as such, are not frequently diagnosed before surgery. Reported herein, is the serendipitous discovery of an incarcerated Spigelian hernia that was discovered on a CT scan being performed for presumed diverticulitis.

Preoperative and postoperative assessment of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair by dynamic MRI

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

To determine the value of dynamic MRI for seroma detection, hernia recurrence, and mesh placement in patients after laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.

METHODS

Thirteen inguinal hernias in 10 consecutive patients were evaluated before and after surgery by using an MRI protocol consisting of coronal T1-weighted (fast field echo) and T2-weighted (turbo spin-echo) images and two sequences obtained during straining (turbo field echo gradient technique). All patients underwent a transabdominal preperitoneal laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. MRI scans were reviewed for the presence of postoperative fluid collections, recurrent hernia, and mesh localization.

RESULTS

In all patients, an inguinal hernia was identified on the preoperative MRI and was absent on the postoperative MRI. In all patients treated laparoscopically, the mesh and its position were clearly identified. Three small fluid collections were found on the postoperative MRI scans.

CONCLUSIONS

Dynamic MRI can demonstrate small, postoperative fluid collections and a sufficient hernioplasty by showing the proper position of the mesh and the absence of a hernia.

Sportsman's hernia

BACKGROUND

Sportsman's hernia is a debilitating condition which presents as chronic groin pain. A tear occurs at the external oblique which may result in an occult hernia. The definition, investigation and treatment of this condition remain unclear.

METHODS

A systematic Medline search was performed and all literature pertaining to chronic groin pain, groin injury, sportsman's hernia and sportsman's groin from 1962 to 1999 was retrieved for analysis.

RESULTS

The costs of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are such that their routine use for assessment of patients with groin pain cannot be justified. They may, however, be employed in difficult cases to help define the anatomical extent of a groin injury. Plain radiography, ultrasonography and scintigraphy should be the usual first-line investigations to supplement clinical assessment. Herniography may help in situations of obscure chronic groin and pelvic pain. There is no consensus view supporting any particular surgical procedure for sportsman's hernia. A number of reports have been published describing different repairs of the posterior inguinal wall deficiency. Appropriate repair of the posterior wall results in therapeutic benefit in selected cases.

CONCLUSION

The diagnosis of sportsman's hernia is difficult. The condition must be distinguished from the more common osteitis pubis and musculotendinous injuries. Early surgical intervention is usually, although not always, successful when conservative management has failed.

Detection of groin hernia with physical examination, ultrasound, and MRI compared with laparoscopic findings

OBJECTIVE

To determine the diagnostic accuracy of physical examination, ultrasound, and dynamic MRI in patients with inguinal hernia.

METHODS

In 41 patients with clinically evident herniations, 82 groins were evaluated using a standard ultrasound and MRI protocol, the latter including T1- and T2-weighted sequences as well as two dynamic sequences. All ultrasound examinations and MRI scans were reviewed without knowledge of clinical findings. In all cases, correlation with findings at laparoscopic surgery was made.

RESULTS

At surgery, 55 inguinal herniations were found. Physical examination revealed 42 herniations (one false-positive finding), whereas ultrasound made the diagnosis of a hernia in 56 cases (five false-positive and four false-negative findings). MRI diagnosed 53 herniations (one false-positive and three false-negative findings). Thus, sensitivity and specificity figures were 74.5% and 96.3% for physical examination, 92.7% and 81.5% for ultrasound, and 94.5% and 96.3% for MRI.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with clinically uncertain herniations, MRI is a valid diagnostic tool with a high positive predictive value.