The use, value and safety of herniography.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the safety, sensitivity and specificity of out-patient herniography when used to diagnose hernias in the presence of a normal or equivocal physical examination.


METHODS
This retrospective study reviewed the symptoms, clinical findings, radiological findings, surgical findings and clinical outcome of 112 patients referred for herniography over a 5-year period.


RESULTS
No significant complications were encountered. Thirty hernias were diagnosed. There was one false-positive and one false-negative examination giving herniography a sensitivity of 96.6% and a specificity of 98.4%.


CONCLUSIONS
Herniography is a sensitive, specific, safe and reliable investigation which should be available to and used by all surgeons who perform hernia repair operations.
Sutcliffe
J R
JR
Department of General Surgery, St. James's Hospital, Leeds, UK.
Taylor
O M
OM
Ambrose
N S
NS
Chapman
A H
AH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity