Published in:
24-04-2023 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging | Original Article
The Sheen Paajanen grOin Recommended Treatment ‘SPoRT’ score for groin pain
Published in: Hernia | Issue 5/2023
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Introduction
Evaluating groin pain still evades many clinicians at times as they have difficulty determining the cause of pain when no true hernia exists. This study’s aim was to evaluate a simple and novel scoring system which is reproducible, to help determine whether conservative measures or surgery is recommended for the management of groin pain attributable to inguinal disruption.
Material & methods
A retrospective analysis of all patients from 2018 to 2020 that underwent surgery or conservative management for inguinal disruption with at least a 1-year follow-up were evaluated. The scoring system is based on MRI and ultrasound imaging as well as clinical findings, with scores given from − 2 to + 2 based on the defined findings listed. A maximum total of four points scored for each assessment was used. Sensitivity and specificity analysis was conducted for each potential score cut off point.
Results
A total of 172 patients were evaluated with 33 patients (19%) undergoing conservative management and 139 patients (81%) undergoing surgery. The median SPoRT score for the surgery group was 2.0 (1.0, 3.0), and − 1.0 (− 3.0, 0.0) in the physiotherapy group which was a significant difference (p < 0.001). An optimal cut off of ≤ 0 for physio and ≥ 1 for surgery was established, yielding a sensitivity of 90.9% (95% CI 75.7%–98.1%), a specificity of 89.2% (95% CI 82.8%–93.8%) and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.936 (95% CI 0.874–0.997).
Discussion
SPoRT score of ≤ 0 can recommend a patient should undergo conservative measures or physiotherapy as a mainstay of treatment with a score of ≥ 1 recommending surgery. Further validation of the score is necessary.