Learning objectives
To know the anatomy of the inguinal canal and its embryological origin.
To know the different pathologies that can involve the inguinal canal in pediatrics.
To review some practical aspects about ultrasonography of the inguinal canal.
Background
The radiological diagnosis of pediatric inguinal pathology is of particular importance given the potential clinical repercussions of an equivocal diagnosis or of a report that omits important information.
Sometimes the pathology arises from a congenital abnormality; for example,
incomplete closure of the vaginalis process gives rise to a funicular hydrocele,
which although benign,
could be complicated by a hernia,
compromising the viability of the herniated organ (testicles,
intestinal loops,
ovary).
Thus,
radiologists need to know the embryological development of the inguinal canal,
the resultant anatomy,...
Findings and procedure details
We review some practical aspects for optimizing ultrasound studies of the IC: types of probe and probe placement to obtain the correct planes,
which images to acquire,
and anatomical reference points.
We present the most characteristic ultrasound findings for each condition.
Ultrasound technique for the evaluation of theIC
Ultrasound enables real-time imaging during the patient's dynamic maneuvers,
and the ultrasound techniques used to study the ICshould be optimized based on the clinical question being investigated.
Normally,
high-frequency linear transducers (18-9 MHz multifrequency) suffice; although exceptionally...
Conclusion
Inguinal canal complaints are common in children.
Various pathologies can affect the inguinal canal.
It can be challenging for radiologists to detect and establish the correct diagnosis of the different ICpathologies.
Adequate knowledge of the topographic anatomy,
the embryology of the inguinal region,
and the ultrasound technique is essential,
as is recognizing the most common disorders,
mainly related to the persistence of the processus vaginalis,
such as hydroceles,
indirect inguinal hernias,
and cryptorchidism.
It is important to know the different types of congenital hydroceles and...
Personal information
Dr.
Carmina Durán Feliubadaló
Pediatric Radiology Section.
Department of Radiology,
Udiat-CD University Hospital Parc Taulí.
Address Parc Taulí,
1,
08208 Sabadell,
Sabadell,
Spain
Email:
[email protected]
Dr.
Viviana Beltrán Salazar
Pediatric Radiology Section.
Department of Radiology,
Udiat-CD University Hospital Parc Taulí.
Address Parc Taulí,
1,
08208 Sabadell,
Sabadell,
Spain
Email:
[email protected]
Dr.
Aleiny B.
Castro García
Resident in training.
Department of Radiology,
Terrassa Hospital.
Address Torrebonica,
S / N,
08227 Terrassa,
Barcelona.
Email:
[email protected]
References
US of the Inguinal Canal: Comprehensive Review of Pathologic Processes with CT and MR Imaging Correlation.
RadioGraphics 2016; 36:2028–2048.
Margarita V.
Revzin,
MD,
MS Devrim Ersahin,
MD Gary M.
Israel,
MD Jonathan D.
Kirsch,
MD Mahan Mathur,
MD Jamal Bokhari,
MD Leslie M.
Scoutt,
MD
The Inguinal Canal: Anatomy and Imaging Features of Common and Uncommon Masses.
RadioGraphics 2008; 28:819–835.
Priya R.
Bhosale,
MD,
Madhavi Patnana,
MD,
Chitra Viswanathan,
MD Janio Szklaruk,
MD,
PhD.
US of the Tunica Vaginalis Testis: Anatomic Relationships and Pathologic Conditions...