Sonographic Abnormalities Predict Testicular Loss in Incarcerated Hernia

Background: Incarcerated inguinal hernia is common in pediatric patients and may not only lead to intestinal obstruction but also result in acute testicular venous occlusion, necessitating urgent intervention and potentially causing atrophy or loss of the testicle. Objective: To show the utility of ultrasonography in predicting testicular loss or atrophy associated with incarcerated inguinal hernia in pediatric patients. Participants/Methods: 58 patients with incarcerated inguinal hernia were evaluated, and pre- and post-reduction sonographic findings (including vascularity, enlargement, and echogenicity of the affected testis) were compared between patients with and without testicular loss or atrophy. Imaging studies were reviewed by 2 radiologists blinded to clinical information and other imaging findings. Discrepancies were resolved by consensus. Results: All pre- and post-reduction sonographic findings were significantly different between patients with and without testicular loss more...