MR imaging following herniography in patients with unclear groin pain

The aims of the present study were to assess if MRI gives the same diagnost ic information as herniography concerning the presence of hernias and revea ls other causes of groin pain. The prospective study enrolled 20 patients r eferred for herniography 6 women and 14 men, mean age 48 years. After herni ography the patients underwent MRI using T1-weighted, fat-suppressed invers ion recovery (STIR), and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreaticography (MRC P) pulse sequences. No contrast medium was administered at MRI. Herniograph y revealed 11 hernias and MRI depicted 8 of these. Magnetic resonance imagi ng depicted well the anatomy in the groins. In 3 patients where hernias wer e not revealed, MRI revealed inflammatory changes in the symphysis region a s a possible cause of groin pain. The primary diagnostic tool for diagnosin g hernias is herniography. If the herniogram is normal, MRI may reveal othe r causes of groin pain and may also better visualize related structures in the groin.