Symptomatic Bochdalek Hernia in an Adult

Background and Objectives:

Bochdalek hernias are congenital diaphragmatic defects resulting from the failure of posterolateral diaphragmatic foramina to fuse in utero. Symptomatic Bochdalek hernias in adults are infrequent and may lead to gastrointestinal dysfunction or severe pulmonary disease. We describe our experience with this rare entity.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review was performed on a single patient for data collection purposes.

Results:

The patient is a morbidly obese 53-year-old female who presented with epigastric pain and diffuse abdominal tenderness. Computed tomography scans of the chest and abdomen revealed a small posterior diaphragmatic defect containing gastric fundal diverticulum. Laboratory work and imaging revealed no other findings. Laparoscopic repair of the Bochdalek hernia was done via an abdominal approach and utilized primary closure with an AlloDerm patch apposed to the defect. The patient has had significant clinical improvement and continues to do well at 9 months postoperatively.

Conclusion:

Laparoscopic repair of symptomatic adult Bochdalek hernias can be performed successfully and may result in significant clinical improvement.     

Laparoscopic retroperitoneal repair of a right-sided Bochdalek hernia

Bochdalek hernias are rare congenital diaphragmatic defects. We report a case of a 50-year-old male with chronic shortness of breath who was diagnosed with a right-sided Bochdalek hernia. This hernia was repaired using a laparoscopic retroperitoneal approach.     

Congenital posterolateral diaphragmatic hernia in an adult

A Bochdalek hernia (BH) occurs when abdominal contents herniate through the posterolateral segment of the diaphragm. Most BHs present with life-threatening cardiorespiratory distress in the neonatal period. Rarely, hernias that remain clinically silent until adulthood present as life-threatening surgical emergencies. Our recent experience with a life-threatening emergency due to a BH in a 29-year-old male patient prompted us to reinforce that this entity does exist in adults and should be considered in the differential of acute abdominal pain.     

An 81-year-old gentleman with symptomatic Bochdalek hernia

An 81-year-old gentleman with congenital polycystic kidney disease presented to his primary care physician with dysphagia, gastroesophageal reflux refractory to medical management, and 11.25 kg weight loss in a 6 mo-period. A barium swallow misdiagnosed a paraesophageal hernia for a Bochdalek hernia. Herein, we highlight how a Bochdalek hernia may be disregarded in the differential diagnosis and how providers can resort to a more common diagnosis, a paraesophageal hernia, which is more frequently encountered in old age and whose radiologic appearance might mimic a Bochdalek hernia.     

Urgent surgical repair of symptomatic Bochdalek hernia containing an intrathoracic kidney

Bochdalek hernias rarely contain an intrathoracic kidney, and there are few reports of their operative repair. A woman presented with progressive dyspnoea limiting her quality of life. Imaging showed a Bochdalek hernia containing omentum, large bowel and the left kidney. The woman was unexpectedly admitted to the intensive care unit with respiratory failure secondary to gallstone pancreatitis whilst awaiting elective repair of her hernia. Surgical repair of the hernia was performed via laparotomy with cholecystectomy to treat both problems. The woman recovered well and is independently mobile without any exertional dyspnoea.     

Adult Bochdalek hernia combined with pneumothorax

A 71-year-old man, who had been given a diagnosis of Bochdalek hernia in infancy, was referred to our hospital for dyspnea The chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT) showed left pneumothorax with bullas and intestines in his left thoracic cavity. He was admitted to our hospital and a chest tube was inserted into the left pleural cavity. The left lung expanded immediately and air leakage was stopped. He became asymptomatic and he was discharged from the hospital on the 8th day. Most Bochdalek hernias are observed in infancy, and adult cases combined with pneumothorax and bullas are very rare.     

Laparoscopic treatment of Bochdalek hernia without the use of a mesh

Bochdalek hernia is a rare pathology. The preoperative diagnosis is difficult, and few reports are available regarding its treatment. Herein we report the case of a 25-year-old woman referred for symptoms of dyspepsia, dysphagia, and thoracic pain exacerbated by pregnancy. Preoperative radiography, EGD, and CT scan revealed a paraesophageal hiatal hernia. Laparoscopic exploration showed the complete thoracic migration of the stomach through a left posterolateral diaphragmatic foramen. The diagnosis of a Bochdalek hernia was then made. The diaphragmatic defect was repaired without inserting a prosthesis, using five separate non-reabsorbable stitches (Rieder technique). The procedure was completed with a Nissen-Rossetti fundoplication. The duration of the procedure was 150 min. Hospital stay was 12 days. There were no complications. Postoperative Gastrografin radiography of the esophagus and stomach showed a normal-shaped fundoplication and confirmed the subdiaphragmatic location of the stomach. We conclude that the laparoscopic approach represents the gold standard for the diagnosis and treatment of Bochdalek hernia and any associated complications.     

Anesthetic management for repair of adult Bochdalek hernia by laparoscopic surgery

This report describes anesthetic management of a case (a 64-year-old man) who was originally diagnosed as paraesophageal hernia before surgery and later diagnosed as Bochdalek hernia during laparoscopic surgery. Anesthesia was started with oxygen, nitrous oxide, and sevoflurane, and respiration was managed using controlled mechanical ven-tilation. Although left pneumothorax was noticed during laparoscopic surgery (aeroperitonia pressure: 10cmH₂O), the surgery was performed using the same anesthesia procedure, because hardly any changes were observed on the monitor and vital signs were stable. The surgery was completed without incident. However, postoperative chest X-rays revealed the residual large pneumothorax. A chest drain tube was inserted immediately, after which the pneumothorax was improved. Pneumothorax is considered to be inevitable in cases of laparoscopic repair of Bochdalek hernia. To prevent exacerbation of pneumothorax, anesthetic management should consist of discontinuing the use of nitrous oxide and lowering the aeroperitonia pressure concomitently with the use of positive airway pressure.     

Complications of misdiagnosed Bochdalek hernia in adults. Literature review

AIM OF THE STUDY: To report 3 new cases of complicated Bochdalek hernia (BH) in adulthood and to review the literature about this rare condition. CASE REPORT: Three adult patients were operated on for a BH undiagnosed until occurrence of acute complication. The first patient, 27 years-old, had small bowel obstruction and the diagnosis of BH, unrecognized on chest X-ray, was established on barium meal and CT scan. The second patient, 38 years-old, had epigastric pain and gastric obstruction: diagnosis of BH, unrecognized at a previous laparotomy, was established on CT scan and barium enema. The third patient, 88 years-old, had respiratory failure and gastric obstruction: diagnosis of BH, unrecognized on chest X-ray, was established on CT scan. The 3 patients were operated on through laparotomy (n = 2) ou thoracotomy (n = 1) with one post-operative death. DISCUSSION: In adulthood, BH can remain asymptomatic for a long time before occurrence of a acute digestive or respiratory complication. Chest X-ray can be normal or misinterpreted. CT scan seems to be the most reliable examination to diagnose BH. CONCLUSION: In adulthood, diagnosis of BH should be evocated in case of respiratory or upper digestive symptoms.     

Thoracic kidney nephrectomy due to recurrent Bochdalek hernia in an adult

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia incidence is one in 3000 live births, Bochdalek hernia occurs through a posterolateral defect. It is very rare in adults. We present a case of late relapsed one diagnosed in an adult male. He underwent an open intervention of Bochdalek hernia at first day of life and required reintervention at seventh month due to recurrence. Now, computerized tomography scan demonstrates a right diaphragmatic defect with intrathoracic hydronephrotic kidney. Nephrectomy was performed with Video-assisted Thoracic Surgery using laparoscopic ports and material. The diaphragmatic defect was closed with a polypropylene mesh. The patient was discharged after 72 h.     

Right-sided Bochdalek hernia obstructing in an adult: case report and review of the literature

Bochdalek hernias on the right side of the diaphragm are very rarely diagnosed in adults. We review a case of a 35-year-old female who presented acutely with intestinal obstruction. Plain and cross-sectional imaging identified a large right-sided Bochdalek hernia, containing colon, causing a mechanical obstruction and, surprisingly, concurrent appendicitis. The patient underwent an emergency laparotomy. At surgery the colon was reduced and was viable. The diaphragmatic defect was repaired using non-absorbable sutures and an appendicectomy was then performed for purulent appendicitis. She made an uneventful recovery and remains well at 9-month follow-up. We discuss what we believe to be the first reported case of an obstructed right-sided Bochdalek’s hernia associated with appendicitis in an adult and review the published literature on this rare condition.     

Case report: Morgagni hernia

The case reported here is a 32-year-old man with a sudden onset of chest pain and an acute deterioration of lung function. An incarcerated Morgagni hernia was diagnosed with a computer tomographic CT scan, and repaired electively via a midline laparotomy. Morgagni hernia is a rare type of congenital diaphragmatic hernia, which may not be symptomatic until adulthood when the patient presents with acute symptoms or incarceration.     

Adult Bochdalek hernia with volvulus of the stomach

We report a rare case of Bochdalek hernia, congenital posterolateral diaphragmatic hernia with volvulus of the stomach, in an adult A 74-year-old man was admitted to our hospital complaining of sudden abdominal pain and vomiting. Roentgenologic examination of the chest showed air above the left diaphragm, and the mediastinum was displaced to the right. Upper gastrointestinal series revealed volvulus of the stomach in which the pylorus was displaced to the left. The surgical repair was done through left thoracotomy with combining laparoscopy and thoracoscopy without surgical complications, 1 year later the patient is asymptomatic.     

Successful laparoscopic repair of an incarcerated Bochdalek hernia associated with increased intra-abdominal pressure during use of blow gun: A case report

BackgroundBochdalek hernia is a congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and adult cases are rare, with a reported frequency of 0.17%–6% among all diaphragmatic hernias.Presentation of caseA 78-year-old man was referred to our hospital with a sudden onset of whole abdominal pain after playing with a blow gun. Chest radiography and computed tomography revealed diaphragmatic hernia with the small intestine. We therefore diagnosed him with an incarcerated Bochdalek hernia associated with increased intra-abdominal pressure during use of blow gun. Laparoscopic repair was performed. The omentum, transverse colon, and small intestine were located in the left thoracic cavity, without ischemic change. After placing the herniated organs into the abdominal cavity, we performed a primary closure of the diaphragmatic defect with interrupted non-absorbable sutures.DiscussionIt is generally recommended that all adult Bochdalek hernia patients undergo surgical repair to prevent life-threatening complications due to incarceration. Recently, laparoscopic techniques for repair the hernia have gained popularity, especially in elective cases. In our case, we could successfully perform emergency laparoscopic repair, as it is associated with a shorter inpatient hospitalization period.ConclusionAn incarcerated Bochdalek hernias associated with increased intra-abdominal pressure is an uncommon clinical finding in an adult, and laparoscopic repair of an incarcerated Bochdalek hernia is safe, feasible, and an excellent option as it is minimally invasive.     

Acute respiratory failure caused by an incarcerated right-sided adult bochdalek hernia: report of a case

We herein report the case of a 63-year-old woman with a right-sided Bochdalek hernia. She was admitted to our hospital as an emergency patient with dyspnea and abdominal pain. A blood gas analysis showed hypoxia. A chest X-ray and computed tomography revealed a remarkable right diaphragm elevation caused by a herniation of the colon and right kidney. Under a thoracolaparotomy, a herniation of the strangulated colon and right kidney was recognized in the site of the foramen of Bochdalek, and a direct closure of the hernia opening was thus performed after repairing the location of the colon and right kidney. A right-sided Bochdalek hernia in adults is a rare clinical entity and there have been fewer than ten such cases so far reported in the world literature. This case highlights the need for a prompt diagnosis and appropriate surgical intervention. Received: January 17, 2000 / Accepted: March 5, 2002     

Obstructed/strangulated diaphragmatic hernia: A rare cause of acute intestinal obstruction in adults

Obstructed diaphragmatic hernia as a cause of intestinal obstruction in adults is very rare. Late presentation of congenital diaphragmatic hernia is reported to be 5 to 25 percent and its presentation as intestinal obstruction is reported, rarely. We report two adult patients with obstructed/strangulated congenital diaphragmatic hernias and one patient with obstructed traumatic diaphragmatic hernia as a rare cause of intestinal obstruction.