Scrotal sonography: a valuable tool in the evaluation of complications following inguinal hernia repair.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the utility of scrotal sonography in the evaluation of patients with scrotal pain or swelling following inguinal hernia repair.


METHODS
From our database, we identified patients who were referred for sonographic evaluation because of persistent scrotal pain or swelling after inguinal hernia repair between July 1994 and February 1996. Sonograms and medical charts were reviewed retrospectively.


RESULTS
Eight patients were included in this study. Doppler sonography demonstrated evidence of testicular infarction in 2 patients and absence of intratesticular diastolic flow in 1 patient. Five patients had postoperative fluid collections with sonographically normal testes.


CONCLUSIONS
Scrotal sonography can diagnose testicular infarction following hernia repair and distinguish postoperative fluid collections from recurrent hernias.
Department of Radiology, Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans 70112-2822, USA.
B J
BJ
Holloway
H E
HE
Belcher
J G
JG
Letourneau
L E
LE
Kunberger
D000328:Adult; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007238:Infarction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012611:Scrotum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013737:Testis / Q000098:blood supply; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler