Ultrasonic evaluation of ventral hernias disguised as intra-abcominal neoplasms.

Most cases of ventral hernias are easily diagnosed by palpation, but palpation is a subjective examination that may be difficult or even misleading, especially in obese patients. In cases of diagnostic uncertainty, ultrasonic examinations offer an objective means of distinguishing between a mass in the abdominal wall and one actually deep to the peritoneum. In addition, if such a mass is detected, these studies provide information that can characterize its physical nature.