Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Inguinal hernia differential diagnosis
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Inguinal hernia must be differentiated testicular torsion, epididymitis, hydrocele, varicocele, spermatocele, epididymal cyst and testicular tumor.
Differentiating inguinal hernia from other Diseases
Differentiating inguinal hernia from other Diseases
- Inguinal hernia must be differentiated testicular torsion, epididymitis, hydrocele, varicocele, spermatocele, epididymal cyst and testicular tumor.[1][2][3][4]
| Diseases | Clinical features | Imaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swelling | Pain | Mass | Inguinal or scrotal | ||
| Testicular torsion | + | + | + | Scrotal | Doppler ultrasonography:
enlargement, decreased echogenicity, and absent flow |
| Epididymitis | +/- | + | – | Scrotal | Doppler ultrasonography:
enlarged (>17 mm) epididymis with a hypoechoic, hyperechoic, or heterogeneous echotexture, increased blood flow |
| Hydrocele | + | – | – | Inguinal | Ultrasound:
simple fluid collection |
| Varicocele | +/- | +/- | +/- | Inguinal | Ultrasonography:
tortuous, tubular, anechoic structures adjacent to the testis corresponding to dilated veins of the pampiniform plexus with calibers of 2–3 mm during the Valsalva maneuver |
| Spermatocele | + | – | +/- | Inguinal | Ultrasonography:
hypoechoic with posterior acoustic enhancement Color doppler ultrasonography: falling snow, resulting from internal echoes moving away from the transducer |
| Testicular tumor | +/- | +/- | + | Inguinal | Ultrasonography:
hypoechoic, smooth, round, and well-circumscribed mass |
| Epididymal cyst | – | +/- | +/- | Inguinal | Ultrasound:
posterior acoustic enhancement, well defined anechoic lesions, larger cysts may contain septations |
References
References
- ↑ Jenkins JT, O’Dwyer PJ (2008). “Inguinal hernias”. BMJ. 336 (7638): 269–72. doi:10.1136/bmj.39450.428275.AD. PMC 2223000. PMID 18244999.
- ↑ Perrott CA (2004). “Inguinal hernias: room for a better understanding”. Am J Emerg Med. 22 (1): 48–50. PMID 14724878.
- ↑ Oh SN, Jung SE, Rha SE, Lim GY, Ku YM, Byun JY, Lee JM (2007). “Sonography of various cystic masses of the female groin”. J Ultrasound Med. 26 (12): 1735–42. PMID 18029925.
- ↑ Yang DM, Kim HC, Lim JW, Jin W, Ryu CW, Kim GY, Cho H (2007). “Sonographic findings of groin masses”. J Ultrasound Med. 26 (5): 605–14. PMID 17460003.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Farima Kahe M.D. [2]