A hernia happens when tissue pushes through a weakness in the surrounding muscle or wall, often in the groin or abdomen.
People often notice a lump or bulge that may become more obvious with coughing or straining, sometimes with discomfort, dragging pain, or swelling.
Imaging helps when the diagnosis is uncertain, when the hernia is deep or difficult to examine, or when doctors need to look for trapped bowel or another complication.
Ultrasound and CT can help confirm the hernia, show what is inside it, and look for signs of obstruction or strangulation.
Some hernias are observed, while symptomatic or complicated hernias often need surgical repair.
This entry explains the condition. The next step is having a radiologist interpret your specific scan, not a general definition.
