IMAGING OF ABDOMINAL-HERNIAS

Abdominal hernias are a common clinical problem, The main types of abd ominal hernias are external or abdominal wall hernias, which involve p rotrusion of abdominal contents through a defect in the abdominal wall ; internal hernias, which involve protrusion of viscera through the pe ritoneum or mesentery and into a compartment in the abdominal cavity; and diaphragmatic hernias, which involve protrusion of abdominal conte nts into the chest, Clinical diagnosis of abdominal hernias can be dif ficult, However, plain radiography, radiography performed after admini stration of barium, and computed tomography allow evaluation I of susp ected abdominal hernias and detection of those that are clinically occ ult, The anatomic location of the hernia, the contents, and complicati ons such as incarceration, bowel obstruction, volvulus, and strangulat ion can be demonstrated with radiologic examination, Occasionally, com plications such as neoplasms or inflammatory conditions can be identif ied in the hernial contents, With abdominal imaging modalities, a vari ety of abdominal hernias can be confidently diagnosed.