Intestinal obstruction caused by a strangulated Morgagni hernia in an adult patient

A Morgagni hernia is a congenital herniation of abdominal contents into the thoracic cavity through a retrosternal diaphragmatic defect. The reported incidence of congenital diaphragmatic hernias is estimated to be 1 in between 2000 to 5000 births. Morgagni hernias comprise 2% of diaphragmatic hernias. Most Morgagni hernias are found and repaired in children, but 5% are found in adults. They are usually asymptomatic and often found incidentally on chest radiography. Symptoms of these hernias are attributable to the herniated viscera. Morgagni hernias containing bowel may require repair on presentation because of the risk of incarceration. We present a case of an incarcerated and strangulated Morgagni hernia in a 71-year-old woman admitted to our clinic for abdominal pain and symptoms of intestinal obstruction. The diagnosis was made preoperatively by chest radiography, sonography, and computed tomography. Emergent laparotomy was performed, with the herniated transverse colon and omentum reduced into the abdomen. The diaphragmatic defect was repaired, followed by resection of the strangulated omentum. In conclusion, a Morgagni hernia may cause intestinal obstruction. Routine radiographic studies are usually sufficient to arrive at the diagnosis, but a CT scan and sonography may be necessary. Laparotomy is appropriate for the management of symptomatic adult patients with Morgagni hernias, particularly those with findings of intestinal strangulation, with laparoscopic treatment an alternative approach in selected cases.     

Morgagni hernia in an adult: atypical presentation and diagnostic difficulties.

Foramen of Morgagni hernias are rare diaphragmatic hernias, usually occurring on the right and located in the anterior mediastinum. Adult patients diagnosed with a foramen of Morgagni hernia are usually asymptomatic and associated with obesity, trauma or other causes of increased intraabdominal pressure. Plain pulmonary roentgenogram, radiological studies of the gastrointestinal system with contrast material, computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging studies are helpful in diagnosis. In this article, a 78-year-old female case with a Morgagni hernia incidentally diagnosed on chest X-ray is presented.     

Posterolateral Bochdalek diaphragmatic hernia in adults

Bochdalek hernias (BHs) are produced in the posterolateral area of the diaphragm. They are generally congenital, appearing in childhood, but are also detected in asymptomatic adult patients seeking medical attention for other reasons. Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used for the correct diagnosis of the hernia type and for its localization, facilitating its management and the choice of treatment. We describe three cases of Bochdalek hernia, two on the right side and one bilateral, which was larger on the right than left side. All of these hernias contained only omental fat. In one patient, the right kidney was adjacent to the diaphragmatic defect but remained within the abdomen. The patients showed no symptoms and were not surgically treated. Examination by multislice CT with the possibility of coronal and sagittal reconstruction should be considered the standard method for diagnosing this entity. MRI in T1 is highly valuable to evaluate fat-containing chest lesions. The incidental finding of BH in asymptomatic adults is increasing, thanks to the wider application of new imaging techniques.     

Bochdalek Hernia With Gastric Volvulus in an Adult: Common Symptoms for an Original Diagnosis

Bochdalek hernias in adulthood are rare. Symptomatic Bochdalek hernias in adults are rarer, but may lead to fatal complications. Patients with acute gastric volvulus on diaphragmatic hernia are a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency.Here, we report a case of a 56-year-old woman diagnosed with epigastric pain, cough, vomiting since 2 weeks and shortness of breath. Complicated Bochdalek hernia was an incidental finding, diagnosed by chest radiograph, computed tomography (CT), and barium swallow study. Stomach was within the thorax in the left side due to left diaphragmatic hernia of a nontraumatic cause.The patient was prepared for the laparoscopic surgical repair, to close the defect. The patient recovered with accepted general condition and was discharged 9 days later.Diagnoses of Bochdalek hernias in adulthood are challenging. However, although rare, this possibility should be kept in mind to avoid fatal complications.     

Bochdalek hernia of diaphragm in the adult. Diagnosis by computed tomography

Two cases of asymptomatic Bochdalek hernia in adults with identical roentgenographic findings are reported. Computed tomography (CT) in each case revealed a round mass with a low attenuation coefficient identical to that of adipose tissue, abutting the thoracic surface of the diaphragm and connecting with the subdiaphragmatic density through a diaphragmatic defect. A case of diaphragmatic lipoma was also presented for demonstration of the CT differentiation between lipoma and hernia of the diaphragm. The CT findings for a Bochdalek hernia are characteristic enough for making a definite diagnosis and render other diagnostic modalities unnecessary.     

Diaphragmatic hernia of Morgagni-Larrey in adults: analysis of 10 cases

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia of Morgagni-Larrey is a rare entity that usually presents on the right side. These hernias, occurring in the anterior midline through the sternocostal hiatus of the diaphragm, are usually discovered incidentally when the patient has reached adulthood, or when they become symptomatic due to intestinal involvement (occlusive symptoms) or when respiratory dysfunction occurs. We present 10 patients (mean age: 69 years) with symptomatic sternocostal hernia and intestinal occlusion. In 7 patients, the hernia was located on the right (Morgagni's hernia) and in three it was located on the left (Larrey's hernia). Most of the patients presented important associated comorbidity, mainly cardiovascular and neoplastic. Surgical treatment consisted of reduction of the contents of the herniated sac and hernia repair through simple suture with or without mesh for reinforcement, mainly through the abdominal approach. Mortality in this series was nil. The infrequency of this entity and its diagnosis mainly in adults, with a high prevalence of circumstances favoring abdominal hernias, suggest that an embryological defect of the sternocostal foramina of Morgagni or Larrey are an essential element in the physiopathology of these processes.     

Computed tomographic evaluation of paraesophageal hernia

Paraesophageal hernias are relatively rare compared to the more commonly diagnosed sliding hiatus hernia. They tend to be asymptomatic initially, but may gradually enlarge and present with life-threatening complications. The treatment is surgical reduction, preferably as an elective procedure. Computed tomography (CT) clearly demonstrates a paraesophageal hernia through a widened esophageal hiatus, often as an incidental finding, and accurately documents the size, contents, and orientation of the herniated stomach within the lower thoracic cavity. In this report, the CT appearance of 4 patients with paraesophageal hernias is described along with a discussion of this uncommon but important surgical condition.     

Incidence and significance of a widened esophageal hiatus at CT scan

We studied the anatomy of the esophageal hiatus using axial CT scans in 320 patients. Normally, the diaphragmatic crura are tightly opposed and closely related to the esophagus. Widening of the esophageal hiatus is readily demonstrated by CT as a separation of the diaphragmatic crura and an increased distance between the crura and esophageal wall. The incidence of widening increases with age, lending support to the hypothesis that the abnormality is acquired. In 100 patients who also had barium studies of the upper gastrointestinal tract, a sliding hiatus hernia was found in 37/43 (86.4%) patients who had a widened esophageal hiatus shown by CT. In 26 of 37 (70.2%) patients, the hernia was demonstrated on CT as a pseudomass usually filled with contrast material lying within and/or above the esophageal hiatus. Small hiatus hernias were shown without a widened esophageal hiatus in only two patients.     

Catamenially recurring pneumothorax with partial liver herniation: a particular view

Few cases of catamenial pneumothorax with complete or partial diaphragmatic hernias are reported in the literature. We present herein the case of a 38-year-old woman affected by recurrent right-sided spontaneous pneumothorax during menstrual periods. CT scan revealed normal lung parenchyma and multiple diaphragmatic nodes suspected for endometrial implants. The patient underwent right thoracoscopy and the presence of multiple diaphragmatic perforations of the tendinous part was observed as well as partial hepatic hernia. Through a video-assisted procedure, pleural biopsies and diaphragmatic plication containing the tendinous part with total pleural abrasion and talc pleurodesis were performed. No endometrial implants were found on histologic examination of pleural biopsies. The surgical procedure was uneventful and totally successful. On the basis of the clinical data and endoscopic view, we consider our case as catamenially recurring pneumothorax.     

Combination of paraesophageal hernia and Morgagni hernia in an old patient

Paraesophageal hiatal hernia is an uncommon condition that requires urgent correction to prevent life-threatening complications. It is present in 14% of all hiatal hernias. The incidence of Morgagni hernia among all diaphragmatic defects is 3-4% and about 90% of the hernias occur on the right, 8% are bilateral and 2% are on the left. The combination of a Morgagni hernia and paraesophageal hernia is very rare and only four cases have been reported in the literature. All of them occurred in the right. This report describes an old case admitted to our clinic with dyspnea, chest pain and chronic gastrointestinal symptoms, found to have combined left Morgagni and paraesophageal hernia. Surgical repair was performed via transabdominal approach. This unusual case and surgical approaches are discussed in light of the data presented in the literature.     

Osteopoikilosis--rare, hereditary determined, benign bone dysplasia. case report

Osteopoikilosis is a rare, hereditary disorder of bone tissue. Most frequently this abnormality is asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally on the basis of X-ray images, taken on other occasions. The characteristic radiographic appearance consists of oval or round, well-defined osteosclerotic foci in various sites of skeleton (pelvis, hands and feet, epiphyses of long bones). In the present paper a case of inborn osteopoikilosis in 23-year-old female patient is described. Typical bone abnormalities founding in her mother implicate an inherited character of this disorder.     

Aortic hiatus gastric hernia

Congenital diaphragmatic hernias are a relatively common anomaly that can present with significant respiratory morbidity and mortality. We report on a case of an aortic-hiatal gastric hernia that initially presented with repeated episodes of respiratory distress, which was diagnosed as asthma. The diagnosis of a diaphragmatic hernia was made at 18 months of age. In the operating room, it was noted that it was an aortic hiatal hernia, which was surgically repaired. Subsequently, there has been improvement in daily respiratory symptoms.     

Bifid liver in a patient with diaphragmatic hernia.

Liver malformations including lobe and segmental abnormalities are rare. We report a 65-year-old lady with complaints of breathlessness and fullness after meals for two months. Investigations revealed a diaphragmatic hernia on the right side with a bifid liver; the right lobe of the liver was among the hernia contents. The lady is asymptomatic after surgical repair.     

Diaphragmatic herniation after esophagectomy for carcinoma of the esophagus: a report of two cases

Diaphragmatic herniation after esophagectomy for carcinoma of the esophagus is a rare but preventable postoperative complication. For patients with symptoms, surgical repair of the hernia is recommended to prevent the potentially disastrous complications. In patients with asymptomatic hernias, a watchful waiting approach is reasonable. To prevent diaphragmatic herniation, we emphasize the importance of routine narrowing of the hiatus so that the surgeon can introduce three or four fingers and recommend awareness of the possibility of diaphragmatic herniation in patients with symptoms of intestinal obstruction. We report two cases of diaphragmatic herniation after esophagectomy for carcinoma of the esophagus, and estimate the incidence of herniation and assess surgical results on the basis of reported cases in the English-language literature.     

Congenital asplenia (Ivemark syndrome) revealed by mesenteric vein thrombosis in a 77 year old patient

Congenital asplenia (Ivemark syndrome) is usually associated with major cardiac malformations, which determine the clinical presentation and often result in death before 6 months of age. We report the unusual case of a 77 year-old patient with a congenital asplenia that was incidentally detected during a laparotomy for mesenteric vein thrombosis. The other abnormal findings in the abdomen were a para-esophageal hiatal hernia and left kidney hypotrophy. A segmental resection of the mid-jejunum was performed, with uneventful recovery. A thoraco-abdominal CT scan failed to reveal any associated vascular malformations in the retroperitoneum or the thorax. This case suggests that, in some instances, congenital asplenia, when isolated, may remain asymptomatic and be compatible with a long, and functionally normal life.     

Bochdalek hernia in adults. Apropos of a case in the right side

Posterolateral diaphragmatic hernia (Bochdalek's hernia) is an infrequent finding in adult patients. Most of them are asymptomatic. Symptomatic cases present with digestive symptoms. Sometimes the clinical picture is related to the associated congenital malformations and not to the hernia itself. It is more common on the left side and in most of the cases it lacks of hernia sac. Simple radiologic study is the clue for the diagnosis. A case of Bochdalek's hernia in a 85 year-old patient is presented.     

Non-traumatic diaphragmatic hernia of the liver in an adult:a case report

BACKGROUND: Diaphragmatic hernia of the liver is a rare clinical entity, usually found after trauma in adults. This study was undertaken to elucidate a misdiagnosis of non-traumatic diaphragmatic hernia of the liver in an adult. METHOD: The clinical data of one patient with non-traumatic diaphragmatic hernia of the liver was analyzed. RESULTS: A tumor in the right lower thorax was revealed by chest X-ray and computed tomography. Non-traumatic diaphragmatic hernia of the liver was not identified until the operation. Pathological analysis confirmed the finding. The patient recovered well. CONCLUSIONS: Non-traumatic diaphragmatic hernia of the liver in an adult is a rare right-sided diaphragmatic hernia, which can move up into the chest cavity. It should be distinguished from lung cancer. The diagnosis and evaluation of non-traumatic diaphragmatic hernia of the liver can help optimize surgical management.     

Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia presenting as a chest wall mass

A patient with traumatic diaphragmatic hernia had his lesion present remotely after thoracoabdominal trauma as an asymptomatic chest wall mass. This is a rare and, perhaps, unique presentation of this entity.     

Late presentation of Bochdalek hernia: clinical and radiological aspects

Three infants with late presentation of Bochdalek hernia are presented. The presenting symptoms were cough, intermittent vomiting, dyspnea, and cyanosis. Initial diagnoses of isolated paravertebral mass and foreign material aspiration were made in two infants, based on plain chest x-ray findings and history of the patients. Further radiological investigations, such as contrast upper gastrointestinal series or enema, computerized tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging of the chest, suggested the diagnosis of Bochdalek hernia. The hernia was found on the left side in two patients and on the right side in one. At operation, the stomach, small intestine, and spleen were found as herniated organs in one patient, ascending colon in one, and all of the small intestine together with ascending colon in the other. A congenital diaphragmatic defect should be suspected in every child presenting with unusual respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms and with abnormal chest x-ray findings. The radiological findings vary greatly from one case to another, and even in the same case at different times because of differences in herniated organs and intermittent spontaneous reduction. The possibility of congenital diaphragmatic hernia should be kept in mind to avoid a wrong diagnosis, undue delay in diagnosis, and inappropriate treatment.     

A case of right pulmonary hypoplasia with congenital diaphragmatic hernia and dextrocardia]

Chest X-ray of a 28-year-old woman revealed an abnormal shadow in the right lower lung field and dextrocardia, for which detailed investigation was performed. Since the CT number of the tumor shadow corresponded to that of the liver on chest CT, diaphragmatic hernia of the liver was suspected, and was confirmed by MRI and angiography of the abdomen. In addition, the pulmonary artery and vein were hypoplastic, and angiography of the pulmonary artery demonstrated pulmonary hypoplasia. This case was considered to have primary pulmonary hypoplasia, because the dextrocardia was considered to have occurred secondary to pulmonary hypoplasia and the diaphragmatic hernia of the liver was not sufficiently large to cause pulmonary hypoplasia. Pulmonary hypoplasia first diagnosed in adulthood is rare, with a clinical course and roentgenographic appearance differing from those of pulmonary hypoplasia in children.