The diagnosis of most inguinal hernias can be made with a focused patient history and physical examination. Routine ultrasounds add little value to the diagnosis and management of clinically evident inguinal hernias and can result in treatment delay. These investigations should therefore not be performed where there is a clearly palpable abdominal wall defect and should instead be limited to use in the evaluation of occult inguinal hernias. For more information:
Bradley M, Morgan J, Pentlow B et al. The positive predictive value of diagnostic ultrasound for occult herniae. Ann R Coll Surg England 2006; 88:165-167. PMID: 16551410.
Robinson A, Light D, Kasim A, Nice C. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the role of radiology in the diagnosis of occult inguinal hernia. Surg Endosc. 2013;27:11–18. PMID: 22733195.