AJR 2004; 183:681-690
© American Roentgen Ray Society
Abdominal Wall Hernias: MDCT Findings
Diego A. Aguirre1,
Giovanna Casola1 and
Claude Sirlin1
1 All authors: Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, 200
W Arbor Dr., San Diego, CA 92103.
Received November 19, 2003;
accepted after revision March 9, 2004.
Address correspondence to D. A. Aguirre
(daguirre{at}ucsd.edu).
Abdominal wall hernias account for most external hernias
[13].
Diagnosis is usually made at physical examination; however, clinical diagnosis
can be difficult, especially in patients with obesity, pain, or abdominal wall
scarring [4]. In these cases,
abdominal imaging may be the first clue to the correct diagnosis. In the past,
conventional radiographs or barium studies were predominantly used in
confirming or excluding abdominal wall hernias; currently, CT has assumed a
dominant role. Advantages of CT include more accurate identification of
abdominal wall hernias and their contents, differentiation of hernias from
other abdominal masses (tumors, hematomas, abscesses, undescended testes, and
aneurysms), and detection of complications (incarceration, bowel obstruction,
volvulus, and strangulation)
[13].
CT is also useful in evaluating postsurgical patients, especially those
with enlarging masses or exuberant scars. In markedly obese patients, CT helps
determine the shape, location, and content of abdominal wall hernias.
MDCT has the potential to further advance the preoperative assessment of
these hernias. By permitting rapid acquisition of 3D image data sets and
exquisite multiplanar reformations, MDCT precisely delineates hernia type,
location, size, and shape.
In addition, because of its superior anatomic detail, MDCT may potentially
detect subtle signs of strangulation, such as mesenteric stranding, poor bowel
wall enhancement, wall thickening, free air, or fluid in the hernia sac.
This pictorial essay reviews common abdominal wall hernias with emphasis on
important pathogenic and demographic factors, characteristic CT appearance and
diagnosis, and use of MDCT and multiplanar reformations to aid in diagnosis
and enhance communication of findings to referring physicians.
MDCT Technique
Supine images were acquired from the diaphragm to the pubic symphysis
(table speed, 10 mm/sec; collimation, 2.5 mm) during a single breath-hold and
reconstructed at 2.5-mm intervals. Multiplanar reformations were obtained on a
workstation (Vitrea 2, Vital Images). Postural maneuvers (e.g., prone or
lateral decubitus positioning) and maneuvers to increase intraabdominal
pressure (e.g., straining or Valsalva maneuver) were not routinely performed,
although they may help depict subtle anterior hernias
[5].
Groin Hernias
Inguinal Hernias
Indirect inguinal hernias are by far the most common abdominal wall
hernias, constituting approximately 66% of surgically repaired hernias in the
United States [6]. They result
from herniation through a patent processus vaginalis and hence are located
lateral to the inferior epigastric vessels
[7]. They are responsible for
almost all inguinal hernias in children and are more common in men, because
the peritoneal extension accompanying the testis often fails to obliterate. In
adults, they are caused by acquired weakness and dilation of the internal
inguinal ring [3] (Figs.
1A,
1B, and
1C). In contrast, direct
inguinal hernias are caused by acquired weakness of the transversalis fascia
and hence are located medial to the inferior epigastric vessels. They are
commonly seen in men 3040 years old and are often bilateral
[7] (Figs.
2A,
2B, and
2C).

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Fig. 1A. 72-year-old woman with cirrhosis and indirect inguinal hernia,
abdominal pain, distention, and palpable mass in left groin. Axial
contrast-enhanced reformatted MDCT image obtained through level of symphysis
pubis shows left indirect inguinal hernia containing thickened and dilated
small-bowel loops (arrows) with radiating mesenteric fat stranding
(arrowhead) indicative of incarceration. In this case, prominent
subcutaneous collaterals related to patient cirrhosis made identification of
epigastric vessels difficult.
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Fig. 1B. 72-year-old woman with cirrhosis and indirect inguinal hernia,
abdominal pain, distention, and palpable mass in left groin. Oblique coronal
3D volume-rendered MDCT image obtained through hernia shows incarcerated
small-bowel loops and ascitic fluid in hernia sac (arrows).
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Fig. 1C. 72-year-old woman with cirrhosis and indirect inguinal hernia,
abdominal pain, distention, and palpable mass in left groin. Sagittal
reformatted MDCT image obtained through left groin delineates size of defect
and hernia sac. Again note prominent vascularity (arrows) in
abdominal wall secondary to portal hypertension.
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Fig. 2A. 79-year-old woman with direct inguinal hernia and small-bowel
obstruction secondary to incarcerated left direct inguinal hernia. Axial
contrast-enhanced reformatted MDCT image obtained at level of symphysis pubis
shows bilateral inguinal hernias containing small-bowel loops (black
arrows). Note epigastric vessels (white arrows) displaced
anteriorly by hernia sacs. In multiple images on monitor, hernia sacs were
medial to vessels consistent with direct inguinal herniation.
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Fig. 2B. 79-year-old woman with direct inguinal hernia and small-bowel
obstruction secondary to incarcerated left direct inguinal hernia. Coronal
reformatted MDCT image shows dilation of intraabdominal loops (black
arrows) with protrusion of small-bowel loops and ascitic fluid through
wall defect (white arrow). Notice that left hernia sac is located
medial to epigastric vessels (arrowhead), diagnostic of direct
herniation.
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Fig. 2C. 79-year-old woman with direct inguinal hernia and small-bowel
obstruction secondary to incarcerated left direct inguinal hernia. Sagittal
oblique MDCT image obtained through left inguinal hernia shows abdominal wall
defect with herniation of dilated small bowel (large arrow). Note
multiple small-bowel airfluid levels (small arrows) secondary
to obstruction caused by incarcerated hernia.
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Femoral Hernias
Femoral hernias are far less frequent than inguinal hernias and are
especially rare in children. They occur more commonly in women and, for
unclear reasons, have a tendency to be right-sided
[2]. They arise from a defect
in the attachment of the transversalis fascia to the pubis and thus occur
medial to the femoral vein and posterior to the inguinal ligament
[7] (Figs.
3A and
3B). They are difficult to
differentiate from inguinal hernias and have a high tendency to incarcerate
[2,
8].

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Fig. 3A. 43-year-old man with femoral hernia and history of rectal cancer who
presented with mass in left femoral region. Axial contrast-enhanced
reformatted MDCT image obtained through symphysis pubis shows left femoral
hernia, containing properitoneal fat (arrow) medial to femoral
vessels (arrowhead) protruding into upper thigh. Compare with other
side, where no hernia sac is seen. Note bulky rectal mass.
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Fig. 3B. 43-year-old man with femoral hernia and history of rectal cancer who
presented with mass in left femoral region. Sagittal oblique reformatted MDCT
image shows that defect originates in attachment of fascia transversalis to
pubis (arrow).
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Ventral Hernias
Ventral hernias include all hernias through the anterior and lateral
abdominal wall, apart from inguinal hernias.
Midline Defects
Midline defects include umbilical, epigastric, and hypogastric hernias.
During the embryonic period, the abdominal contents herniate through the
umbilicus and normally return into the abdominal cavity by the 10th week of
gestation.
Closure of this physiologic abdominal wall defect may be incomplete at
birth. Many neonates have a small umbilical hernia, but most of these close
spontaneously during infancy or childhood. In adults, umbilical hernias are
usually acquired, occur 10 times more frequently in women, and represent the
second most common surgically repaired hernia in the United States
[6]. Risk factors include
multiple pregnancies, ascites, obesity, and large intraabdominal masses
[2,
7] (Figs.
4A and
4B).

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Fig. 4A. 55-year-old woman with cirrhosis who presented with umbilical
hernia. Axial volume-rendered MDCT image obtained through umbilicus shows
voluminous hernia sac containing properitoneal fat and ascitic fluid
(arrowhead) related to underlying cirrhosis; ascites (not shown) was
also present in upper abdomen. Mass was not palpable clinically, perhaps
because of thickness of subcutaneous adipose tissue.
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Fig. 4B. 55-year-old woman with cirrhosis who presented with umbilical
hernia. Sagittal volume-rendered MDCT reformation obtained through umbilicus
shows defect in abdominal wall with protrusion of herniated sac into
subcutaneous tissue (arrow).
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Umbilical hernias do not reduce spontaneously and have a high prevalence of
incarceration and strangulation. Although in some cases no bowel content is
seen in the hernia sac, torsion of the fat vascular pedicle can cause acute
abdominal symptoms.
A paraumbilical hernia is a protrusion through the linea alba in the region
of the umbilicus (Figs. 5A and
5B) and is usually related to
diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscles
[3] (Figs.
6A and
6B).

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Fig. 5A. 47-year-old man with history of previously repaired paraumbilical
hernia who presented with enlarging mass in umbilical area. Axial
contrast-enhanced reformatted MDCT image obtained through umbilicus shows
diastasis and atrophy of rectus abdominis muscles with protrusion of omental
fat into abdominal wall (arrowheads) on both sides of umbilicus,
consistent with bilateral paraumbilical hernias.
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Fig. 5B. 47-year-old man with history of previously repaired paraumbilical
hernia who presented with enlarging mass in umbilical area. Sagittal
volume-rendered MDCT image shows wall defect in umbilical area
(arrow) immediately inferior to mesh in supraumbilical region
(arrowheads) from previous hernia repair.
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Fig. 6A. 66-year-old obese woman with multiple previous abdominal surgeries
who presented with periumbilical mass. Axial contrast-enhanced reformatted
MDCT image obtained immediately superior to umbilicus shows diastasis of
rectus muscles and protrusion of properitoneal and mesenteric fat into
subcutaneous tissue (arrow).
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Fig. 6B. 66-year-old obese woman with multiple previous abdominal surgeries
who presented with periumbilical mass. Axial reformatted MDCT image obtained
inferior to umbilicus shows separate diastasis of rectus abdominis muscles
with protrusion of contrast materialfilled small-bowel loops into
subcutaneous tissue (arrowheads).
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Hypogastric hernias occur below the umbilicus and often undergo
incarceration or strangulation
[9]
(Fig. 6C).

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Fig. 6C. 66-year-old obese woman with multiple previous abdominal surgeries
who presented with periumbilical mass. Sagittal 3D volume-rendered MDCT image
shows complex anatomy of paraumbilical hernia, with component above umbilicus
(arrow) and second component below umbilicus
(arrowhead).
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Epigastric hernias are uncommon. They appear on the linea alba between the
umbilicus and the xiphoid process and contain properitoneal fat; vascular
structures; and, uncommonly, abdominal viscera
[7,
9] (Figs.
7A and
7B). Epigastric hernias are
usually occult in obese patients, and their symptoms may mimic peptic ulcer or
gallbladder disease [9].

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Fig. 7A. 91-year-old man with no previous surgeries who presented with
epigastric mass. Axial reformatted MDCT image obtained through level of
kidneys shows midline defect in anterior abdominal wall with diastasis of
rectus muscles and protrusion of omental fat (arrowheads). Note close
relationship of hernia to transverse colon.
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Fig. 7B. 91-year-old man with no previous surgeries who presented with
epigastric mass. Sagittal reformatted midline MDCT image shows wall defect
(arrow) between xiphoid process and umbilicus
(arrowhead).
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Lateral Defects
Spigelian hernias occur through a defect in the linea semilunaris, a
fibrous union of the rectus sheath with the aponeuroses of the transverse and
oblique abdominal muscles that extends from the level of the ninth costal
cartilage to the symphysis pubis; wall defects are often secondary to acquired
weakness of the aponeurosis (Fig.
8) or surgical incisions (Figs.
9A and
9B).

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Fig. 8. 60-year-old woman with left flank mass. Axial MDCT image obtained at
level below umbilicus shows protrusion of mesenteric fat through defect in
left linea semilunaris, characteristic of spigelian hernia
(arrowheads). Subcutaneous hernia sac can be confused with abdominal
wall lipoma if muscular defect is not recognized. Clinical diagnosis is
extremely difficult in these patients.
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Fig. 9A. 70-year-old woman with history of cholecystectomy who now has mass
at incision site as spigelian incisional hernia. Oblique coronal 3D
reformatted MDCT image shows abnormal protrusion of colon (arrow) and
right hepatic lobe (arrowhead) through abdominal wall defect.
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Fig. 9B. 70-year-old woman with history of cholecystectomy who now has mass
at incision site as spigelian incisional hernia. Axial MDCT image obtained at
level of kidneys shows hernia sac protruding between right rectus abdominis
muscle (arrow) and aponeuroses of right transversus abdominis and
internal oblique muscles (arrowheads), consistent with spigelian
hernia.
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Typically, the omentum and short segments of bowel protrude through the
hernia defect [1,
3]
(Fig. 8) and have a high
frequency of incarceration [1,
9]. They characteristically
traverse the complete thickness of abdominal wall muscles, in contrast to
interparietal hernias in which the hernia sac is confined between muscular
layers.
Posterior Defects
Lumbar hernias occur spontaneously, postsurgically or secondary to trauma,
especially after pelvic fracture. Herniation can occur either through defects
in the lumbar muscles or the posterior fascia (transversalis or lumbodorsal)
in the superior (Grynfeltt-Lesshaft) or inferior (Petit's) lumbar triangles
(Fig. 10).

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Fig. 10. Diagram shows distribution of lumbar triangles. Coronal reformatted
MDCT image obtained through dorsal aspect of abdominal wall shows superior
lumbar triangle (double asterisk) bordered superiorly by 12th rib,
laterally and anteriorly by internal oblique muscle (arrowhead), and
posteriorly by erector spinal muscle (ES). Inferior lumbar triangle
(single asterisk) is shown on right side, bordered inferiorly by
iliac crest, laterally and anteriorly by external oblique muscle
(arrow), and posteriorly by latissimus dorsi muscle (LD).
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The Grynfeltt-Lesshaft triangle is bordered by the 12th rib superiorly, the
internal oblique muscle anteriorly, and the erector spinal muscle posteriorly
and constitutes the most common location for lumbar hernias (Figs.
11A and
11B).

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Fig. 11A. 34-year-old man after motor vehicle crash. Axial contrast-enhanced
reformatted MDCT image obtained through lower pole of kidneys shows right
perirenal hematoma (arrowheads). On left side, posterior herniation
of descending colon (arrow) is noted with adjacent soft-tissue
stranding, consistent with traumatic lumbar herniation.
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Fig. 11B. 34-year-old man after motor vehicle crash. Sagittal 3D
volume-rendered MDCT image reveals protrusion of descending colon into
posterior abdominal wall (arrowheads) in superior lumbar triangle,
characteristic of GrynfelttLesshaft hernia (most frequent lumbar
hernia).
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Petit's triangle is bordered by the external oblique muscle anteriorly, the
latissimus dorsi muscle posteriorly, and the iliac crest inferiorly (Figs.
12A and
12B).

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Fig. 12A. 39-year-old woman with previous left nephrectomy for renal cell
carcinoma who presented with bulging mass in incision area as lumbar hernia.
Axial contrast-enhanced reformatted MDCT image obtained through lower pole of
right kidney shows defect in abdominal wall at inferior lumbar triangle, with
protrusion of small bowel into subcutaneous tissue (arrow).
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Fig. 12B. 39-year-old woman with previous left nephrectomy for renal cell
carcinoma who presented with bulging mass in incision area as lumbar hernia.
Coronal volume-rendered MDCT image shows protrusion of small-bowel loops into
inferior lumbar triangle (arrow) below 12th rib (arrowhead)
through site of previous nephrectomy incision, consistent with inferior lumbar
(Petit's) incisional hernia.
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Diffuse lumbar hernias, a third type, are most often iatrogenic, usually
occurring after flank incisions for kidney operations
[1,
10]. Bowel loops,
retroperitoneal fat, kidneys, or other viscera can protrude through the hernia
defect. Incarceration and strangulation may occur
[1].
Incisional Hernias
Incisional hernias are delayed complications of abdominal surgery and occur
in 0.513.9% of patients in reported series
[4]. Most incisional hernias
develop during the first months after surgery; however, 510% may remain
clinically silent for up to 5 years until detection
[4]. These hernias are more
common with vertical rather than transverse incisions, but they can also
develop through small laparoscopic puncture sites
[4,
7]. Risk factors for incisional
hernias include old age, obesity, postoperative wound infection, chronic
pulmonary disease, ascites, malignant tumor, and malnutrition (Figs.
13A and
13B).

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Fig. 13A. 69-year-old woman with previous right nephrectomy who presented with
right abdominal bulge as incisional hernia. Axial contrast-enhanced
reformatted MDCT image obtained through inferior pole of left kidney shows
defect in right internal oblique muscle, with protrusion of contrast
materialfilled small-bowel loops into abdominal wall
(arrow).
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Fig. 13B. 69-year-old woman with previous right nephrectomy who presented with
right abdominal bulge as incisional hernia. Oblique coronal volume-rendered
MDCT image shows protrusion of intraabdominal content through incisional scar
into abdominal wall (arrow).
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Parastomal hernias are considered a form of incisional hernia. They occur
adjacent to a stoma and are aggravated by factors such as obesity,
malnutrition, chronic cough, or abdominal distention
[9]. Clinical evaluation is
difficult, and CT shows bowel loops protruding through the wall defect at the
stomal site (Fig. 14).

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Fig. 14. 71-year-old man with history of partial colectomy for colon
carcinoma who presented with enlarging mass next to colostomy in left flank as
parastomal hernia. Axial contrast-enhanced reformatted MDCT image obtained
through lower abdomen shows parastomal herniation of small bowel
(arrowhead) adjacent to colonic stoma (arrow).
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Other Hernias
Less commonly encountered are interparietal, Richter's, and Littre's
hernias in the abdominal wall; and sciatic, obturator, and perineal hernias in
the pelvis. Interparietal or interstitial hernias (Figs.
15A and
15B) are rare acquired
hernias, most commonly found in the inguinal region, located in the fascial
planes between the abdominal wall muscles (typically the external and internal
obliques) without exiting into the subcutaneous tissue. Incarceration of
herniated bowel is a common complication.

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Fig. 15A. 60-year-old woman who presented with bulging masses in both lower
quadrants. Axial reformatted MDCT image obtained through subumbilical area
shows bilateral defects in abdominal wall with protrusion of small-bowel loops
and mesenteric fat into intermuscular plane between internal (solid
arrowheads) and external oblique (open arrowheads) muscles
characteristic of interparietal hernias.
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Fig. 15B. 60-year-old woman who presented with bulging masses in both lower
quadrants. Axial reformatted MDCT image obtained through neck of right-sided
hernia shows protrusion of mesenteric fat, vessels, and bowel loops
(arrow) into interparietal hernia sac.
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In a Richter's hernia, only the antimesenteric wall of the bowel is
herniated, without compromising its entire lumen
(Fig. 16). Usually these cause
symptoms stemming from strangulation and occur most frequently in femoral
hernias or trocar sites after laparoscopic surgery
[11].

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Fig. 16. 42-year-old man who presented with abdominal distention as
Richter's-type umbilical hernia. Axial contrast-enhanced reformatted MDCT
image obtained through mid abdomen shows dilatation of small-bowel loops with
numerous airfluid levels. At level of umbilicus, protrusion of
antimesenteric wall of dilated small-bowel loop is seen (arrowheads)
without involvement of opposite wall (arrows), characteristic of
Richter's hernia. This patient had small-bowel obstruction caused by adhesions
in distal ileum, and Richter's hernia was incidental.
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A hernia containing a Meckel's diverticulum characterizes a Littre's hernia
[12], also known as a
persistent omphalomesenteric duct hernia, most frequently encountered in the
inguinal region.
Sciatic hernias pass through the greater or lesser sciatic foramen, most
commonly involving the small bowel or the distal ureter
(Fig. 17).

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Fig. 17. 50-year-old woman with vague pelvic pain from pelvic floor hernia.
Axial CT image of lower pelvis shows bowel loops in right ischiorectal fossa
(arrowheads) consistent with sciatic hernia. These rare hernias are
usually caused by abnormal development or atrophy of piriform muscle. Sac may
contain small bowel, urinary bladder, ovary, ureters, or colon. Sciatic hernia
also is known as sacrosciatic, ischiatic, or gluteal hernia (hernia incisurae,
ischiadicae, and ischiocele).
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Obturator hernias are rare, occur primarily in elderly women, and have high
predisposition for incarceration. Protrusion of the peritoneal sac through the
obturator foramen and extension between the pectineal and obturator muscles
are characteristic [1]
(Fig. 18).

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Fig. 18. 80-year-old woman with abdominal distention. Axial CT image obtained
through pelvic floor shows artifact from bilateral hip prosthesis. Note
fluid-filled bowel loops lateral to right obturator foramen
(arrowhead), characteristic of obturator hernia. These rare hernias
are mainly seen in older patients.
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Perineal hernias are uncommon and tend to occur in older women with
acquired weakness of the pelvic floor. These hernias are usually adjacent to
the anus, the labia majora, or the gluteal region (Figs.
19A and
19B).

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Fig. 19A. Three-dimensional maximum-intensity-projection reformations of
osseous pelvis show distribution of pelvic hernias. Anterior (A) and
lateral (B) projections show distribution of perineal (vertical
arrow), obturator (oblique arrow), and sciatic hernias
(curved arrow).
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Fig. 19B. Three-dimensional maximum-intensity-projection reformations of
osseous pelvis show distribution of pelvic hernias. Anterior (A) and
lateral (B) projections show distribution of perineal (vertical
arrow), obturator (oblique arrow), and sciatic hernias
(curved arrow).
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Conclusion
Radiologists should assess the abdominal wall on all CT scans to detect
clinically occult hernias. If a hernia is detected, it is important to
delineate its site, size, contents, shape, and related complications. MDCT
with multiplanar reformations provides a unique perspective on abdominal
anatomy, shows wall defects to best advantage, and adds important information
in the interpretation and planning of treatment.
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