Herniography in atypical inguinal hernia.

In patients with unclear groin pain herniography has revealed hernia in 36% of the patients with a normal physical examination. Most of the hernias detected on herniography are of indirect, direct or femoral type. The former two are found predominantly among men and the latter among women. These types of hernia are defined herniographically according to their location and shape. Whether or not a hernia is present is usually obvious although small hernias may be obscured by pelvic bone and contrast medium in the inguinal fossae and pouch of Douglas. In most patients the hernias are conspicuous and easy to classify correctly. Problems may, however, arise in the precise definition of some types of hernia. In this respect positive contrast herniography contributes to the pre-operative evaluation in patients with inguinal hernia. The aim of the present report is to describe some less well-known herniographic findings. The clinical impact of the particular findings is discussed.