Abstract

Inguinal hernias affect 5% of children and are usually defined as a protrusion of intestine or omentum through abdominal wall or inguinal canal defects.[1] Inguinal hernias may contain structures other than bowel and unique cases have been documented since the early 1900's.[2–10] Ultrasound has been demonstrated to differentiate superficial swellings and has been used by radiologists to evaluate inguinal masses for decades.[1–5,11–13] Although the use of radiology-performed ultrasound for the diagnosis of congeni tal inguinal hernias containing ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes has been documented; the use of point-of-care ultrasound for the evaluation of the acute inguinal mass prior to reduction has not been demonstrated. Accurate identification by the emergency physician of the herniated structures may lead to earlier diagnosis, faster consultation, improve patient management, and superior patient outcomes.

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