title: The value of ultrasound in the diagnosis of nonpalpable femoral hernias.
abstract: Nonpalpable femoral hernias were diagnosed in four patients by the ultrasonic visualization of a space-occupying mass medial to the femoral vein. All four patients had surgical verification of their ultrasonic diagnoses. Therefore, we suggest the liberal use of nonpalpable and clinically questionable femoral hernias. In patients with incarcerated femoral hernias, early sonographic diagnosis prior to strangulation may decrease the high mortality associated with this complication.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006550:Hernia, Femoral / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014463:Ultrasonography