title: Is herniography an effective and safe investigation?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the safety and effectiveness of herniography in adult patients with suspected hernia.
  
  
  METHODS
  The records of all patients undergoing herniography within one unit over a 1 year period were studied retrospectively. A follow-up postal questionnaire was sent out to all patients enquiring about outcome and any complications of herniography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From a total of 64 patients undergoing a herniogram, 36% were found to have a positive result and 64% a negative result. This study showed a sensitivity rate of 0.94 and a specificity rate of 0.95. There was a 5% major complication rate leading to hospital admission, and 42% of patients described minor complications occurring within 24 hours of herniography.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Herniography is a useful diagnostic tool for identification of clinically occult hernias, with good rates of sensitivity and specificity. In most cases it is a safe investigation but it is not without a significant complication rate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, U.K.
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Brierly
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Hale
authors.forename: N L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Bishop
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity