Contents of the inguinal canal: identification by different imaging methods

Figure 1 Axial and coronal T2-weighted MRI sequences (A and B, respectively) showing a lesion with a cystic aspect in the right inguinal canal, with thin walls, no septa, and no solid components, consistent with a cyst of the canal of Nuck. Image courtesy of Dr. Fernando Mansano.

Figure 2 Coronal CT in the portal phase showing an incarcerated left inguinal hernia containing a jejunal loop, complicated by intestinal obstruction. Note the distention of the proximal bowel loops.

Figure 3 Unenhanced axial CT in a patient with cirrhosis, showing ascites and large inguinoscrotal hernias containing ascitic fluid.

Figure 4 Double contrast-enhanced barium enema showing the sigmoid colon within a left inguinal hernia with poorly filled irregular contours (arrows) that was found to be a carcinoma.

Figure 5 Coronal CT in the arterial phase showing a massive renal cell carcinoma that was hypervascularized on the right, together with nodules typical of peritoneal carcinomatosis, one of them in the left hernia sac (arrows).

Figure 6 Coronal T2-weighted MRI sequence showing primary testicular lymphoma extending through the inguinal canal and the left gonadal vein (arrows).

Figure 7 A: Axial ultrasound showing an ill-defined, hypoechoic, heterogeneous area in the inguinal canal. B: Axial CT of the same patient, showing a thickened appendix in the inguinal canal.

Figure 8 A 28 year-old female with a painful mass, which proved to be an ovarian cyst within an inguinal hernia, in the left inguinal region. A: Ultrasound showing an ovarian cyst in the inguinal canal. B: Axial CT in the portal phase showing that cyst (arrow). Image courtesy of Dr. Lutero Marques de Oliveira.

Figure 9 Cystourethrography showing a right inguinal hernia containing part of the bladder visible only in the post-micturition phase. Image courtesy of Dr. Paulo Wiermann.

Figure 10 ¹⁸F-FDG-PET/CT fusion image showing the normal testicles (arrows) and a left inguinal hernia containing the bladder, in which there was physiological accumulation of the radiopharmaceutical.

Figure 11 Sagittal and coronal CT scans (A and B, respectively) in the arterial phase, showing left inguinal herniation of the bladder. Note the area of irregular wall thickening and hypervascularization that proved to be a urothelial carcinoma.

Figure 12 Unenhanced sagittal CT showing a hernia containing an intestinal loop and part of the bladder, together with a calculus (arrow) in the herniated portion.

Figure 13 Inguinoscrotal hematoma as a complication of inguinal herniorrhaphy. Ultrasound showing a multilocular formation with heterogeneous, hyperechoic components (arrows).

Figure 14 A 45 year-old male with hypertriglyceridemia and alcohol use disorder. Oral contrast-enhanced coronal CT, in the portal phase, showing acute pancreatitis complicated by an abscess invading the left inguinal canal.

Figure 15 Ultrasound of the same patient depicted in Figure 14, showing a contiguous, heterogeneous fluid collection in the left scrotum, together with fluid collections in the pancreas and groin.