Hernia
A hernia happens when tissue pushes through a weakness in the surrounding muscle or wall, often in the groin or abdomen.
When to get help quickly: Urgent review is important if the lump becomes painful, hard, cannot be pushed back, or is associated with vomiting, abdominal swelling, or bowel obstruction symptoms.
Common symptoms
People often notice a lump or bulge that may become more obvious with coughing or straining, sometimes with discomfort, dragging pain, or swelling.
When imaging helps
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.
What radiology does
Ultrasound and CT can help confirm the hernia, show what is inside it, and look for signs of obstruction or strangulation.
What usually happens next
Some hernias are observed, while symptomatic or complicated hernias often need surgical repair.
Seen this on your report?
Your doctor or the radiologist who wrote it can tell you what it means for you.
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