Learning objectives
Describe common and less common pathologies resulting in female groin swelling
Describe the radiological appearances of the pathologies
Apply a structured approach to formulating a differential diagnosis
Background
The groin is an imprecise region and therefore pathology affecting the female groin may arise from multiple organ systems including musculoskeletal,
gastrointestinal,
genitourinary and gynaecological.
This can lead to a challenging diagnosis.
Patients are increasingly referred primarily to radiology for an ultrasound when presenting with a superficial lump in the groin.
It is not uncommon for referrals for ultrasound and CT to contain limited clinical details without a differential diagnosis.
Traditionally,
patients with lumps would have been assessed and triaged by the general surgeon.
As...
Findings and procedure details
We present a pictorial review of presenting complaints affecting the adult female groin.
In addition to the most common hernias and inflammatory conditions such as lymphadenitis,
we describe less commonly encountered conditions including atypical hernias,
canal of Nuck hydrocoele and perineal venous collaterals.
We have applied the 'surgical sieve' for our approach to formulating a differential diagnosis:
Non-congenital hernias,
congenital,
neoplastic, traumatic, infection/inflammation and vascular.
Hernias
A hernia can be defined as a"condition in which part of an organ is displaced and protrudes through the...
Conclusion
Pathology affecting the female groin is varied and is best assessed with detailed anatomical knowledge and a structured approach to considering the wider differential diagnosis.
Familiarity with the common and less common diagnoses and their appearances will equip the general radiologist in their practice.
References
Oxford Dictionaries.
2019.
Definition of hernia in English:.
[ONLINE] Available at: https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/hernia.
[Accessed 9 January 2019].
Ghandi et al.An index of inguinal and inguinofemoral masses in women:Critical considerations for diagnosis.
Translational Research in Anatomy 12,
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Kidd Gillian A,
O’Dwyer Patrick J.
Femoral hernias BMJ 2011; 343 :d7668
Walter H.S.,
Martin M.
Female hydrocele (cyst of the canal of Nuck) J Ultrasound Med.2004;23:429–432
Solivetti FM,
Elia F,
Graceffa D,
Di Carlo A.
Ultrasound morphology of inguinal lymph nodes may not herald an...