Ultrasonography of the abdominal wall in the diagnosis of spigelian hernia.

Gray scale ultrasonography of the abdominal wall was used in the evaluation of patients suspected to have spigelian hernia. This diagnostic technique was found to be accurate in displaying defects in the spigelian fascia. Application of this technique to patients with mild abdominal tenderness may result in the detection of more cases of spigelian hernia and also prevent unnecessary exploration in patients in whom the sonogram is normal.