| Abstract: | The primary radiologic evidence of intra-abdominal hernia is disturbance of normal small intestine arrangement. Loops of intestine are crowded together as if in a bag, giving the appearance of clumping or sacculation. Dilatation and loss of mobility may occur with varying degrees of stasis. Displacement of viscera or pressure deformity may be observed.Studies of the small bowel are necessary to demonstrate these conditions and must be made with the patient in the erect as well as the horizontal position. Repeated studies may be required, and the best time to make them is during an acute attack, as the hernia may be temporarily reduced during a remission.The clinical symptoms are sufficiently characteristic to suggest the diagnosis in most cases. The usual history is of repeated attacks of abdominal pain or discomfort, usually accompanied by distention, varying in periodicity and intensity, with or without nausea or vomiting, and not accompanied by laboratory data or clinical signs indicative of inflammatory disease.Similar or identical clinical and roentgenologic evidence may be produced by torsion of the small bowel or by peritoneal adhesions.The hernia or torsion may reduce spontaneously before or at the time of operation. Therefore, a careful search for abnormal fossae, mesenteric defects or adhesive bands is necessary if herniation or torsion is not found. |
