[Diagnosis and complications of inguinal hernias]

The medical history and the physical examination are the most important parts of the diagnosis of groin adults' hernias. The examination will be done the patient initially stand up. The doctor examines the external inguinal ring, the internal inguinal ring and the floor of the inguinal canal. Usually, this exam will be sufficient for a groin hernia diagnosis. However this physical exam will be insufficient in more than 50% for the diagnosis of the exact type of hernia. This diagnosis will be difficult with a pain syndrome without physical examination anomalies. Much other diagnosis must be considered before surgical exploration. In these cases, ultrasonography could be a good opportunity, like in cases of unexplained groin tumours. TDM is a good exam, only to explore the content and the parietal defect of large, old, fixed hernias. In fact, it is important to remember that groin hernia could be a symptom of colon, rectum, or prostatic diseases, secondary to intraabdominal pressure.