Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of groin hernia.
OBJECTIVE
The authors determine the feasibility of dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the diagnosis of groin hernia.


METHODS
Ten volunteers and 10 patients with clinically evident and surgically proven herniations were evaluated using T1-, and T2-weighted sequences and two dynamic sequences. The visibility of anatomic structures that are crucial for the assessment and the differentiation of inguinofemoral herniations was evaluated.


RESULTS
The inguinal rings could be identified in all subjects. The inferior epigastric vessels could be identified in 85%. In 10 patients, 11 hernias were found at MR imaging, whereas at surgery and physical examination 13 herniations were diagnosed (84.6%). The two hernias that were missed initially could be identified retrospectively on MR imaging. One volunteer showed a small bilateral inguinal hernia on MR imaging that could be confirmed on physical examination.


CONCLUSIONS
The anatomic structures that are crucial for the assessment and the differentiation of inguinofemoral herniations can be identified prospectively with MR imaging.
van den Berg
J C
JC
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands.
de Valois
J C
JC
Go
P M
PM
Rosenbusch
G
G
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006119:Groin / Q000473:pathology; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged