The value of herniography in elderly women with groin pain of obscure origin.

In 64 women aged 60-90 (mean 69) years with groin pain of obscure origin (no palpable mass), the diagnostic contribution of positive-contrast herniography was retrospectively evaluated. Groin hernia was found in 28 patients (44%), and was judged to have caused the pain in 18 of them. In 13 of these patients herniorrhaphy relieved the symptoms, and in the other five surgery was contraindicated. The origin of the groin pain in the remaining 46 patients was judged to be musculoskeletal (21), intestinal (11), urogenital (3) or other (11). Herniography thus can substantially contribute in the clinical investigation of groin pain of unclear origin in elderly women.