Abstract
Background and aim: Ultrasonography of an inguinal mass is not common in clinical practice; so the aim of this study is to determine its clinical significance. Materials and methods: Two hundred and fifteen patients with an inguinal mass and who underwent ultrasonography between June 2010 and May 2012 were involved in the study. The monthly number of ultrasonographies of an inguinal mass, the ultrasonographic diagnosis, in comparison with the diagnosis made by palpation, and accuracy of the diagnosis of the type of groin hernia were evaluated. Results: The monthly number of ultrasonographies of an inguinal mass increased to 17, which was higher than the number of operations for an inguinal mass. The diagnoses included groin hernia, spermatic (Nuck) hydrocele, lymph node, round ligament varicosity, and ectopic endometriosis. The ultrasonographic diagnosis was different from the diagnosis made by palpation in 13 cases (6.0%). Comparison of the ultrasonographic diagnosis with the final diagnosis made by the operative findings in 153 cases revealed that the diagnostic accuracy for the type of groin hernia was 82%. Conclusion: Ultrasonography is useful for the diagnosis and treatment of an inguinal mass.
