The diagnosis of incisional hernia (scar hernia) is made on the basis of history and physical examination.
Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics, and obligatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnosis.
- Abdominal ultrasonography (ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs) – for visualization of the involved structures[detection of a fascial gap (differential diagnosis rectus diastasis), visualization of the hernia contents, volume increase of the hernia contents and the hernia orifice in the context of dynamic examinations, Valsalva squeeze test (synonym: Valsalva maneuver)]
- Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen (abdominal CT) (sectional imaging procedure (X-ray images from different directions with computer-based evaluation)) – in cases of unclear ultrasound findings or complicated hernias or large abdominal wall defects.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the abdomen (abdominal MRI) (computer-assisted cross-sectional imaging (by means of magnetic fields, that is, without X-rays); particularly well suited to the representation of soft tissue injuries) – in unclear ultrasound findings or complicated hernias or large abdominal wall defects.
