Investigations
In most patients, an umbilical or epigastric hernia can be diagnosed by clinical examination alone.
Diagnosis of an epigastric hernia is confirmed by any manoeuvre which increases intra-abdominal pressure and makes the mass bulge anteriorly. The mass is often difficult to palpate, so that ultrasound or a CT scan may be necessary.
Preoperative imaging may be necessary in patients with abdominal pain without a palpable hernia, or in obese patients for measurement of the defect size when planning the surgical approach.
Reference
- Young J, Gilbert AI, Graham MF. The use of ultrasound in the diagnosis of abdominal wall hernias. Hernia 2007; 11: 347–351.
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