Groin Hernias: a Pictorial Essay Outlining Basic Anatomy with Illustration of Interesting Cases on Computed Tomography

Abstract

The goal of this project is to illustrate the imaging findings of interesting cases of groin hernias while providing a basic overview of the anatomy of the inguinal region. This anatomical overview will provide a basic approach to interpreting CT scans of inguinal and femoral hernias with respect to the myopectineal orifice. A literature review was performed to evaluate the management and anatomical definitions of inguinal and femoral hernias. Several diagrams were created to illustrate the important anatomical concepts of inguinal and femoral hernias. Interesting cases of groin hernias were selected by staff radiologists, to review the anatomy of inguinal and femoral hernias. Eight interesting cases of groin hernias were identified: a bilateral indirect inguinal hernia, an indirect hernia containing a ureter, an indirect hernia containing bladder, an incarcerated femoral hernia, a mixed or “pantaloon” hernia, an appendicitis containing femoral hernia, a direct Amyand hernia, and an indirect Amyand hernia. Direct inguinal, indirect inguinal, and femoral hernias can be classified according to their exit point with respect to the quadrangular myopectineal orifice.