Diagnostic Tests for Groin swelling

Diagnostic Test list for Groin swelling:

The list of diagnostic tests mentioned in various sources as used in the diagnosis of Groin swelling includes:

• Physical examination
  • Look and feel any obvious swelling in the groin. If not apparent, asking the person to cough may make the lump appear and suggests a hernia feel the area of the swelling and ask the person to cough to feel the lump expand and a cough impulse which usually suggests an inguinal hernia
  • Determine if the swelling is reducible which suggests a femoral or inguinal hernia
  • Determine if the swelling transilluminates when a torch is used. If the lump does transilluminate, this may suggest a hydrocele of the spermatic cord
  • Observe the skin overlying the groin lump. If red may suggest a strangulated hernia or abscess
  • Feel for pulsatility of the lump which suggest femoral artery aneurysm
  • Examine the testicles within the scrotum, if testicle is absent the groin lump may suggest undescended testes
  • Examine the skin of leg for any evidence of infection which may be draining to the groin lymph nodes
• Blood tests
  • Full blood count and ESR
  • Renal function tests and electrolytes
  • Syphilis serology, if indicated
  • HIV serology, if indicated
  • Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) serological test, if suspected
• Swab and culture the base of any lesions - to diagnose genital herpes, syphilitic ulcer, Chancroid (Haemphilus ducreyi).
• Radiological investigation
  • Groin ultrasound can confirm hernia and determine type
  • Bone scan may help rule out a psoas abscess
  • Arteriography may help diagnose femoral artery aneurysm
  • Venography or Doppler ultrasound scan will help diagnose saphenous varix
• Exploratory surgery - will be necessary in many cases for both diagnosis and treatment.
• Lymph node biopsy - may be required for definitive diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease and Non- Hodgkin's lymphoma.

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