Local Investigation of outcomes Based on Ultrasound Examinations for Suspected Inguinal Hernia Performed by Sonographers and Radiologists

Abstract

Inguinal hernia is the most common surgical repair performed in England with more than 73,000 cases in 2007. The majority of inguinal hernias are diagnosed clinically, but ultrasound is fast becoming the imaging modality of choice for diagnosing occult hernia, due to its non-invasive nature and lack of radiation. At the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, ultrasound of the groin was performed only by radiologists, but recently sonographers have also begun examining patients for inguinal hernia. This study investigates the accuracy of ultrasound diagnosis of hernia and compares the performances of radiologists and sonographers over a nine-month period involving 124 patients. Our results indicate that both professional groups have a high detection rate and that there is no significant difference in accuracy. An incidental finding was that many general practitioner referrals diagnosed with an inguinal hernia did not proceed to surgery. Since many ultrasound departments are experiencing demand versus capacity issues, it may be that further investigation into the value of diagnosis when surgery is unlikely is warranted.