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MDCT of abdominal wall lumbar hernias: anatomical review, pathologic findings and differential diagnosis

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy volume 34, pages 455–463 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

To review the anatomical landmarks of the abdominal wall lumbar region and its normal appearance on multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and to briefly describe the MDCT features of lumbar hernias.

Methods

We performed a retrospective search of the imaging report database from November 2007 to October 2011. We retrieved the clinical data and MDCT studies of patients suffering from abdominal wall lumbar hernias. We reviewed the imaging features of abdominal lumbar hernias and compared those with the normal appearance of the lumbar region in asymptomatic individuals.

Results

We classified lumbar wall hernias as diffuse, superior (or Grynfelt–Lesshaft) and inferior (or Petit) lumbar hernias. We briefly describe the imaging features of each subtype and review the anatomy and MDCT appearance of normal lumbar region.

Conclusions

Currently available MDCT provides an excellent opportunity for reviewing the normal anatomy of the wall lumbar region and may be considered a useful modality for evaluating lumbar hernias.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Hospital Reina Sofía, Ctra Tarazona km 3, 31500, Tudela, Navarra, Spain

    Joaquín Martín, José María Mellado, Susana Solanas, Nerea Yanguas, Javier Salceda & María Rosa Cozcolluela

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  1. Joaquín Martín
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  2. José María Mellado
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  3. Susana Solanas
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  4. Nerea Yanguas
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  5. Javier Salceda
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  6. María Rosa Cozcolluela
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Correspondence to Joaquín Martín.

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Martín, J., Mellado, J.M., Solanas, S. et al. MDCT of abdominal wall lumbar hernias: anatomical review, pathologic findings and differential diagnosis. Surg Radiol Anat 34, 455–463 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-012-0937-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-012-0937-8

Keywords

  • Abdominal wall
  • Lumbar region
  • Lumbar hernia
  • Computed Tomography
  • MDCT