As one of the nation’s premier experts in hernias and their treatment, Dr. Towfigh will often spot important clues that might not be so readily visible to non-specialists and less experienced physicians. While most hernias can be diagnosed with an exam of the abdominal and groin area, not every case can be fully explored with just the eyes and hands. Dr. Towfigh is also ready to use a variety of technological tools that can often make the job of detecting a hernia, and determining its exact nature, far easier.

An ultrasound for hernia detection is especially useful in many cases where the hernia may be more internal, or “hidden”, a relatively frequent occurrence with female patients. This non-invasive tool uses sound waves to create a picture of the inside of the body; an ultrasound for hernia examination can give Dr. Towfigh a picture of exactly where the problem is and its exact size.

Since all patients, and all hernias, are somewhat different, sometimes other more sophisticated tools are employed. A computerized tomography or CT scan for hernia flare-ups can be very useful for producing a detailed X-ray image of the abdominal and/or groin area. At the same time, an MRI for hernia detection can be superior in some instances for the complete examination of certain types of tissues, especially in more complex situations or if the ultrasound or CT scan are not diagnostic. An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) exam may be necessary to provide more detailed data on the soft tissue.