Yes, hernias can be diagnosed using ultrasound techniques. Diagnostic ultrasounds are typically used for the diagnosis of groin and abdominal wall hernias over other kinds of hernias.
Hernia diagnosis is the first step in a hernia repair process. Without a proper hernia diagnosis, effective hernia repair cannot be done.
Ultrasound is one of the most effective diagnostic tools in hernia diagnosis and is widely employed by specialists.
Role of Ultrasound in Hernia Diagnosis
Ultrasound or sonography is an effective technique in diagnosing a hernia. Sound waves are sent to the body part under examination that reflects images onto a computer screen through a transducer.
You may asked to hold your breath and change position to obtain clear images of the structures under examination. The diagnosis does not usually take more than 20 to 30 minutes to complete. The diagnosis is not painful as well.
Ultrasound in Groin Hernia Diagnosis
Ultrasound helps in diagnosing whether the hernia protrudes through the inguinal or femoral ring or canal.
In recurrent groin hernias, the ultrasound technique helps in identifying the condition of muscles and tissues around the hernia and the position or displacement of the mesh placed during the previous hernia repair surgery.
Ultrasound in Abdominal Wall Hernia Diagnosis
Umbilical hernias, epigastric hernias, and lateral ventral hernias can be easily diagnosed using ultrasound scans. The size of the hernia and the contents of the hernia sac can be identified via the images transmitted using ultrasonography.
You may be asked not to have any food and consume only water at least six hours before the diagnosis of abdominal wall hernias using ultrasonography. This will help prevent any interruption in proper imaging of the abdominal organs.
Advantages of Ultrasound in Hernia Diagnosis
The benefits of using ultrasound in hernia diagnosis include:
- Helpful in measuring the dimensions of the hernia
- Identify the organs near the hernia
- Assess the condition of muscles and soft tissues nearer to the hernia
- Measure diastasis or the separation of the muscles or tissues
- Identify unsuspected and hidden hernias
- Produce high-quality images
- Rapid generation of images
- Cost-efficient imaging
Other Methods for Hernia Diagnosis
Ultrasounds usually do the trick of diagnosing a groin or abdominal hernia and other kinds of scans are not required. Yet at times to add precision to the diagnosis scans such as CT or MRI may be used.
CT Scan
Computed Tomography (CT) helps in imaging the hernias and displays the contents of the peritoneal sac in abdominal hernias. CT scans are useful in diagnosing hernias when they cannot be distinguished from masses of the abdominal wall like tumors, hematomas, and so on.
A contrast dye may be administered intravenously to make the organs more visible in the images and help in the accurate diagnosis of the hernia.
MRI Scan
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is used when there is no visible bulging on the surface of the body but when severe pain persists.
In MRI scans as well a contrast dye is at times injected intravenously for increased visibility of the organs.
Conclusion
Accurate diagnosis of a hernia is the first step in the proper treatment of a hernia ailment. When the diagnosis is inaccurate the treatment may not yield the desired results.
Diagnostic tools like ultrasound, MRI, and CT scans are highly useful in diagnosing hernias with their latest technological facilities. Entrust your hernia repair to a hernia specialist who can accurately diagnose and repair the hernia for effective recovery.
To know more about the diagnostic tools used in hernia diagnosis, contact a hernia surgeon in your local or even in outsite .
