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Imaging of abdominal wall hernias

Department of Radiology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK

• Inguinal and femoral hernias are by far the most common abdominal wall hernias.
  
• Ultrasound has the benefit of being a dynamic study, but is highly operator dependent.
  
• Herniography is an invasive technique but is highly sensitive and specific with a low rate of complications.
  
• CT is the modality of choice in the imaging of complications of abdominal wall hernias.
  
• MRI is increasingly utilized with the increased availability of rapid breath-hold sequences for abdominal imaging.
  

Abdominal wall hernias are common and predominantly diagnosed at clinical examination. Imaging is, however, required in equivocal cases or when complications arise. Correct radiological interpretation requires knowledge of the anatomy of the anterior abdominal wall and an understanding of the indications and limitations of multiple imaging modalities.