Inguinal herniography in adults: technique, normal anatomy, and diagnostic criteria for hernias.

In 146 adults (88 men, 58 women) with groin pain of uncertain origin and normal physical examinations, herniography disclosed inguinal hernias in 40 (45%) men and in 19 (33%) women. There were no false-positive or false-negative herniographic diagnoses among 20 patients who were operated upon subsequently. These results indicate that herniography is a useful examination in the evaluation of adults with groin pain of obscure origin.