Herniography in anterior abdominal wall hernia.

The clinical diagnosis of anterior abdominal wall hernia is difficult in patients with a negative or inconclusive physical examination. These hernias are often of an interparietal type which hampers their detection. Herniography may contribute to the clinical workup in patients with Spigelian, incisional, and umbilical hernias. As the clinical presentation may be spurious, herniography should be used on wide indications. The herniographic appearance and differential diagnosis of these hernias are reported. The additional use of ultrasonography in this setting is illustrated and discussed.