Description

A 27-year-old man presented with a history of abdominal pain, vomiting and occasional dry cough associated with breathlessness which was worsening on lying down but not relieved by sitting. He had recurrent episodes of similar illness since the past 5 months, and for that he took symptomatic treatment and got relief to some extent. There was no history of wheezing, fever, chest pain, loss of weight or appetite. The patient had a significant history of blunt trauma to the thorax and abdomen 3 years ago by a Pokland machine (a machine used for agriculture purposes), which resulted in bilateral rib fracture that was managed efficiently at that time.

Physical examination, vitals and laboratory investigations revealed no abnormality except for decreased breath sound throughout the left side of the chest. Chest X-ray revealed raised hemidiaphragm and air fluid level on the left side (figure 1). Thoracoabdominal CT showed a breach in the left hemidiaphragm (posterior part) along with herniated abdominal contents in the left pleural cavity and left lung with mediastinum found shifted towards the right (figure 2), confirming the diagnosis of post-traumatic diaphragmatic hernia. On exploratory laparotomy, a diaphragmatic defect of 10×10 cm in size with the whole of the stomach, transverse colon and a part of the small bowel found herniated in the left hemithorax. Along with laparotomy, the patient underwent simultaneous left thoracotomy and operative repair included reduction of the incarcerated contents after assessing their viability, drainage of the pleura and closure of the diaphragmatic defect by mesh hernioplasty. Postoperatively the patient was alright and a repeat chest X-ray was absolutely normal showing a clear left diaphragmatic border and no residual air fluid level.

• Download figure
• Open in new tab
• Download powerpoint

Figure 1

Chest X-ray posterioranterior view: indistinct hemidiaphragm and air fluid levels on the left side.

• Download figure
• Open in new tab
• Download powerpoint

Figure 2

Breach in left hemidiaphragm with herniated abdominal contents in the left pleural cavity and mediastinal shifting towards the right.

Diaphragmatic rupture is a life-threatening complication of thoracoabdominal trauma. The condition may present spontaneously or passed unnoticed, to present many years afterwards. A delayed traumatic diaphragmatic hernia is a rare diagnosis and intrathoracic herniation of abdominal organs is a great diagnostic difficulty as it often presents with vague unrelated clinical symptoms1 (eg, pain abdomen, breathlessness, vomiting) and non-specific radiographic findings long after the initiating trauma has been forgotten. There may be a delay between trauma and diagnosis ranging from 24 h to 50 years.2 A number of factors cause delayed diagnosis including serious concurrent injuries and a paucity of pathognomonic clinical signs and simultaneous lung injuries which may mask or mimic the diagnosis. Another likely explanation for delay in diagnosis is that the diaphragmatic defect occurring with injury manifests only when the progressive visceral herniation occurs through this defect from the constant negative intrapleural pressure pulling on mobile abdominal viscera.3

The radiological work-up consists of chest X-ray and CT scans of the chest and abdomen.2 On the chest radiograph, diagnostic criteria suggestive of a ruptured diaphragm are the presence of bowel loops in the chest, unclear diaphragmatic outline and a markedly elevated hemidiaphragm.1 ,2

A prompt diagnosis and an operative intervention form the cornerstone of the management for the post-traumatic diaphragmatic hernias. Thoracotomy (if required, extended into a thoracoabdominal incision) is advised in the patients with delayed presentation since the adhesions within the chest can be freed easily, and reduction and repair of hernia will be easily accomplished. The principles of an operative repair include reducing the incarcerated contents, removal of the hernia sac, drainage of the pleura and closure of the diaphragmatic defect.2