Inguinal Hernia

Etiology: patent processus vaginalis
Imaging: bowel within the inguinal canal and scrotum
Clinical: incarcerated hernia is a clinical diagnosis and not a radiologic diagnosis

Cases of Inguinal Hernia

AXR of small bowel obstruction due to inguinal hernia — AXR supine shows massively dilated loops of bowel filling the abdomen with a loop of bowel noted in each of the scrotal sacs.

US of inguinal hernia — Sagittal US of the scrotum (below) shows a loop of bowel superior to the right testicle within the right scrotal sac. Transverse US (above) best demonstrates the presence of a reactive hydrocele around the loop of bowel. The bowel was subsequently successfully reduced into the abdomen and repaired 3 days later.