Transdiaphragmatic intercostal hernia following blunt trauma

Non traumatic acquired acute transdiaphragmatic intercostal hernia induced by coughing

Transdiaphragmatic intercostal hernia is a rare disease. It is usually caused by trauma and is rarely caused by coughing. Although a few cases of intercostal hernia induced by coughing have been reported, our case of a non traumatic acquired acute transdiaphragmatic intercostal and abdominal hernia induced by coughing is very rare. A 77-year-old woman presented with sudden-onset left lower chest pain after an episode of violent coughing. She had risk factors for intercostal hernia, including obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, oral steroid use, and diabetes mellitus. Computed tomography showed herniation of the lung and intra-abdominal organs into the thoracic and abdominal wall through a ruptured diaphragm, as well as the intercostal and abdominal muscles. Surgery was completed with interrupted sutures to close the defects after the reduction of the herniated organs. Our experience suggests that careful examinations, including the assessment of risk factors and computed tomography imaging, were essential for establishing an accurate diagnosis, and that the repair of a ruptured diaphragm with simple interrupted sutures without any prosthetic materials seems to be feasible in selected patients with a transdiaphragmatic intercostal hernia.

Laparoscopic repair of transdiaphragmatic intercostal hernia following blunt trauma

Background

Transdiaphragmatic intercostal hernia (TIH) is a rare clinical entity that generally occurs following trauma or surgical intervention, but it may occur spontaneously

Case Report

An 82-year-old Korean man presented with left-sided chest pain after falling off an agricultural vehicle. Physical examination revealed a bruised painful swelling in the left lower chest wall confirmed as hernia of the transverse colon and omentum through a defect in the diaphragm into the 7th intercostal space. Laparoscopic repair with a prosthetic mesh was successful with no sign of hernia recurrence 3 years after injury.

Discussion

TIH is uncommon. Depending on the associated injuries they may be repaired via the chest or abdomen and with the widespread advent of minimally invasive surgery this can be achieved laparoscopically or thoracoscopically. Small defects can be closed directly, but larger defects will require mesh coverage. Care should be taken to avoid using fixation tacks close to the central tendon and are best suited to peripheral defect repairs.

Transdiaphragmatic Intercostal Hernia-An Unusual Hepatic Injury After a Car Accident: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Transdiaphragmatic intercostal hernia, in which the abdominal contents of the hernia protrude through the diaphragm and the thoracic wall defect. is a very rare type of hernia with only a few cases having been reported in the literature. That type of hernia is usually manifested in male patients after trauma, penetrating or blunt. It is frequently presented with a palpable thoracic mass and pain. The indicated treatment is surgery. We present the case of a 60-year-old female admitted to the hospital after a car accident and suffered multiple rib fractures (6th, 7th, 8th right ribs / 7th, 8th, 9th left ribs), as well as flail thorax, hemothorax bilaterally, left subcutaneous emphysema and swelling of soft tissues of the right lateral thoracoabdominal wall. CT scan revealed herniation of hepatic parenchyma and intestinal loops into the thorax. The patient was treated surgically, and his postoperative course was uneventful. We also review the relevant literature concerning this transdiaphragmatic, intercostal hernia and identify 42 cases. Transdiaphragmatic intercostal hernia is a rare condition, usually manifested in male patients after trauma, penetrating or blunt. It is frequently presented with a palpable thoracic mass and pain. The indicated treatment is surgery.