"Acquired" congenital diaphragmatic hernia

A rare case of pseudomyxoma peritonei with Morgagni hernia

Both pseudomyxoma peritonei and Morgagni hernias in adults are rare clinical conditions. A 70-year-old woman who was diagnosed with pseudomyxoma peritonei with Morgagni hernia underwent cytoreductive surgery and primary repair. Pseudomyxoma peritonei causes increased intra-abdominal pressure that may lead to acquired congenital diaphragmatic hernia when there is a local fragility in the diaphragmatic musculature. Parietal peritonectomy of the right diaphragmatic peritoneum can safely remove the hernia sac. The high rate of infections associated with cytoreductive surgery causes hesitation for concurrent mesh repair for Morgagni hernia. This is the first report of pseudomyxoma peritonei with Morgagni hernia. Cytoreductive surgery including parietal peritonectomy of the right diaphragmatic peritoneum plus primary repair of hernial defect was performed safely and successfully, which achieved positive short-term results for patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei-associated Morgagni hernia.

Tension enterothorax and hepatothorax due to a diaphragmatic hernia: successful emergency repair of a life-threatening condition

A 70-year-old female patient presented with acute severe respiratory distress at a district general hospital. Medical history included type 2 diabetes, recurrent pulmonary embolisms and pre-existing diaphragmatic hernia containing part of the liver. Despite initial treatment with steroid inhalers, her clinical picture rapidly deteriorated requiring emergency intubation and positive pressure ventilation. Imaging investigations revealed tension enterothorax and hepatothorax with tracheal deviation. The patient was transferred and underwent an emergency laparotomy at the Regional Oesophagogastric Unit. A large diaphragmatic hernia (central tendon defect) which contained the duodenum, porta hepatis, right lobe of liver, gallbladder and right colon was reduced and successfully repaired. Her postoperative course was uneventful with no signs of recurrence at 2 months follow-up.This case describes an extremely rare and life-threatening condition of tension enterothorax and hepatothorax, which should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute respiratory distress with tracheal deviation.

Postnatal MRI for CDH: A pictorial review of late-presenting and recurrent diaphragmatic defects

Late-presenting or recurrent diaphragmatic defects can pose a diagnostic challenge due to varying clinical presentations. Current diagnostic approaches include plain film radiograph for initial assessment, with other imaging modalities such as fluoroscopy, ultrasound, CT and MRI mainly utilized for troubleshooting. As a radiation-free modality, MRI can provide a more definitive diagnosis in particular cases due to its ability to visualize discontinuity of the diaphragm, distinguishing it from eventration. MRI can also accurately characterize hernia contents, defect location and size. We present our MRI technique and review cases of different hernia types with relevant discussion of the imaging findings and correlation with intraoperative findings. MRI can be a useful diagnostic tool in the assessment of late presenting or recurrent diaphragmatic hernias.

The Upturned Superior Mesenteric Artery Sign for First-Trimester Detection of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia and Omphalocele

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to follow the course of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) in first-trimester fetuses to predict the location of the small bowel. Its abnormal course aids in early detection of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and assessment of the contents of omphalocele.

METHODS

The SMA can be easily identified in a sagittal section of the fetus by using color Doppler sonography at the 11- to 14-week scan, and normally, it has a downward course caudally to supply the intestines. The course of the SMA points to the location of the bowel.

RESULTS

We report a series of 7 cases detected in first trimester with an abnormal course of the SMA, 3 of which had CDH and 4 of which had omphalocele. In CDH, the intestines herniate into the thoracic cavity; hence, the SMA tends to have an upward course toward the thorax. In 4 cases of omphalocele, the SMA follows the exteriorized bowel into the base of the umbilical cord.

CONCLUSIONS

Second-trimester sonography for detection of congenital malformations is a standardized protocol, but a careful anatomic survey at the 11- to 14-week scan is often rewarding. When there is a suspicion of an intrathoracic mass or a mediastinal shift, the upturned course of SMA serves as a valuable sign in confirmation of CDH. Chromosomal abnormalities are often reported in cases of omphalocele containing small bowel only, and the upward course of the SMA toward the base of the cord helps in its early prenatal diagnosis, which facilitates early genetic assessment in these fetuses.

Massive symptomatic right-sided Bochdalek hernia in an adult man

A 22-year-old man presented to a rural hospital in Australia with right-sided pleuritic chest pain, right shoulder pain and dyspnoea. The patient had been receiving chronic asthma therapy without improvement. CT of the chest was performed after an abnormal X-ray, incidentally revealing one of the largest documented right-sided diaphragmatic hernias, with left lung compression due to mediastinal shift. The patient was definitively managed with thoracotomy alone. The contents of the hernia sac included colon and multiple loops of small bowel with a 10 cm neck. Definitive treatment was achieved with significant reduction in hernia size and formation of a neo-diaphragm with composite mesh. The postoperative period was complicated only by a wound infection. Two weeks after discharge the patient remained clinically well. Repeat chest X-ray showed no recurrence of the hernia. Congenital diaphragmatic hernias should be considered in patients with ongoing respiratory symptoms. Thoracotomy provides a safe approach.

Anesthetic management of Morgagni hernia repair in an elderly woman

Adult onset congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is uncommon but not rare. Morgagni hernia is a rare variant of CDH. The defect tends to be small and patients may remain asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally. When these patients become symptomatic, they usually present with gastrointestinal and cardiorespiratory symptoms or sometimes as an emergency due to obstruction or strangulation of herniated viscera. Chest radiograph, computed tomography scan, and magnetic resonance imaging are the imaging modalities used for diagnosis of CDH. Cardiopulmonary compromise due to mass effect of hernial contents on lungs, heart and great vessels, and obstruction or strangulation of herniated viscera poses the special challenge before anesthesiologists. Our patient was diagnosed to have Morgagni hernia, at the age of 72 years and underwent laparotomy for the same. This case highlights the key feature of the successful anesthetic management of adult onset CDH.

Late-presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia in children: the experience of single institution in Korea

PURPOSE

Late-presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) beyond the neonatal period is rare and often misdiagnosed, with delayed treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed our experience with late-presenting CDH over 30 years at a single institution to determine the characteristics of late-presenting CDH for early diagnosis.

RESULTS

Seven patients had operations due to late-presenting CHD in our institution over 30 years. The patients' ages ranged from 2.5 months to 16 years. There were six boys and one girl. Five hernias were left-sided, one was right-sided and one was a retrosternal hernia. All patients had normal intestinal rotation. Non-specific gastrointestinal or respiratory symptoms and signs were usually presented. Intestinal malrotations were absent; therefore, only organs adjacent to the defect or relatively movable organs such as the small bowel and transverse colon were herniated. Two cases were accompanied by stomach herniation with the volvulus and liver, respectively. The duration from presentation to diagnosis varied from 5 days to 1 year. Diagnoses were made by chest X-ray, upper gastrointestinal series and chest computed tomography. All patients underwent primary repair with interrupted non-absorbable sutures by a transabdominal approach. None had postoperative complications. The follow-up period in six patients ranged from 4 months to 20 years (median 3.8 years). There was no recurrence in any of the patients on follow-up.

CONCLUSION

A high index of suspicion is important for the diagnosis of late-presenting CDH because it can be a life-threatening condition such as CDH with a gastric volvulus. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can lead to a good prognosis.

Lethal Bochdalek hernia in a three-year-old: pathological findings and medicolegal investigation in accusation of malpractice

Diaphragmatic hernias can be a pitfall for paediatric diagnostics, especially in the cases of late presentation, which can also have medico-legal ramifications as exposed. A three-year-old boy was taken to a children's hospital after an episode of abdominal pain and vomiting of food. A physical examination proved normal, with mild ketonuria being found and he was discharged. Three months later for the same signs and symptoms, he was taken once more to hospital, where he arrived in a state of cardiac arrest and died. A lawsuit was begun against the doctors who had examined him three months earlier. The autopsy found herniation of the abdominal organs into the left pleural cavity through a defect in the left hemidiaphragm. The cause of death was identified as cardiac tamponade caused by mechanical compression of multiple herniated abdominal organs. The histopathological examination revealed marked atelectasis of the left lung, with non-expansion of 60-90% of the alveoli which suggested an acute mechanism that proved fatal, and the doctors were acquitted. The features of this disease and the possible difficulties in its diagnosis highlight the need for the utmost attention in differential diagnosis, even at an age where the discovery of a diaphragmatic hernia is exceedingly rare.

Late-presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia: diagnostic pitfalls and outcome

PURPOSE

We sought to review the presentation, diagnosis, and outcome of a series of children with late-presenting, congenital diaphragmatic hernias (CDH).

METHODS

Bochdalek and Morgagni hernias that were diagnosed after 30 days of age, between January 1989 and December 2009, were reviewed retrospectively. A medical record review and telephone survey were conducted in 2010.

RESULTS

Thirty-one subjects, diagnosed with CDH between 45 days and 13 years of age (mean, 16 months), were reviewed. Bochdalek hernias were present in 18 (58%) and Morgagni hernias in 13 (42%). There were twenty (64%) left-sided, eight (26%) right-sided, and three (10%) bilateral CDH. Five (16%) had other congenital anomalies. Eight (25.8%), including a subject with strangulated intestine that required resection, were initially misdiagnosed, due mostly to failure to obtain or correctly interpret a chest radiograph. Thirty (97%) were repaired by an abdominal approach, including seven laparoscopic closures. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 20 years (median, 7 years). All subjects survived without recurrence. Unlike neonatally diagnosed CDH, neither right-sided hernia, patch repair, nor associated esophageal atresia predicted morbidity.

CONCLUSION

Although diagnostic delays may lead to morbidity, if late-presenting CDH are expeditiously identified and repaired, their outcome is very good, in contrast to those that present in neonates.

A twenty-year review of early and late-presenting congenital Bochdalek diaphragmatic hernia: are they different clinical spectra?

BACKGROUND

Congenital Bochdalek diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is easily recognized if it is present shortly after birth. However, cases of delayed CDH presentation are more subtle and therefore less easily diagnosed.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 85 patients who were under 18 and diagnosed with CDH between June 1987 and May 2007. Those diagnosed before 1 month of age were categorized as having early-presenting CDH and those diagnosed after 1 month were categorized as having late-presenting CDH.

RESULTS

Of the 85 cases, 68 (80%) were early-presenting and 17 (20%) were late-presenting CDH. Respiratory symptoms were more common in early-presenting CDH, while gastrointestinal complaints were more dominant in the late-presenting group, particularly in patients with left diaphragmatic defects. Late-presenting CDH, which was more likely to be associated with chronic gastrointestinal symptoms, was associated with a lower mortality than acute early-presenting CDH with respiratory symptoms, despite the more prompt diagnosis of the latter. The small bowel was the organ most commonly herniated into the thorax. Congenital heart disease was the most commonly associated malformation, but the presence of associated anomalies did not increase mortality.

CONCLUSION

Early-presenting CDH shows acute symptoms, is readily diagnosed, and requires prompt intervention to prevent death. In contrast, late-presenting CDH shows more subtle symptoms and is more difficult to diagnose. Although the late-presenting CHD has better prognosis, it still requires surgery intervention to alleviate the symptoms. Clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion for CDH, regardless of its presentation.

Hemothorax--a rare presentation of congenital strangulated diaphragmatic hernia

We report the case of a 7 years old previously asymptomatic child who initially presented with respiratory distress because of massive left-sided hemothorax but was subsequently diagnosed to be having strangulated small intestine through a diaphragmatic rent on laparotomy. The case is being discussed in detail and the possible causes of hemothorax in such a scenario discussed.

Death due to late-presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia in a 2-year-old child

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is classically regarded as a neonatal defect presenting with respiratory distress; however, not all CDH will present in this manner. Unlike newborn deaths related to CDH, where the mechanism of death is respiratory in nature, the mechanism of death in late-presenting CDH is not always due to respiratory compromise. In this case report, we present a death occurring in a 2 1/2-year-old child who presented to the emergency department with complaints of abdominal pain and emesis, and then rapidly decompensated and died. Autopsy revealed a CDH, with herniation of abdominal contents into the left thoracic cavity, with associated gastric volvulus, necrosis, and rupture.

Late presentation of bochdalek-type congenital diaphragmatic hernia in children: a 23-year experience at a single center

PURPOSE

The purpose of this article is to report on our 23-year experience of treating children with late-presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), focusing on diagnostic difficulties, associated anomalies, and morbidity.

METHOD

We reviewed 19 children in whom Bochdalek-type CDH was diagnosed after the neonatal period, between 1983 and 2005.

RESULTS

There were 14 boys and 5 girls, with a mean age of 18.3 months (range, 5 weeks-14 years). Ten (52.6%) of the patients presented with respiratory symptoms and five (26.3%) with gastrointestinal symptoms. The diagnosis of CDH was based on the findings of chest X-rays, gastrointestinal tract contrast radiographs, and computerized tomography findings. The CDH was on the left side in 16 patients and on the right side in three patients. A hernia sac was present in seven (36.8%) patients. The only postoperative complications were intestinal obstruction caused by adhesions, incisional hernia, and eventration of the diaphragm in one patient each. None of the patients died within this study period.

CONCLUSION

The possibility of a delayed presentation of CDH should be considered in the differential diagnosis of recurrent non-specific respiratory or gastrointestinal tract symptoms in a child. A plain roentgenogram with a swallowed nasogastric tube might assist in the diagnosis. Early surgical correction of the diaphragmatic defect is crucial for preventing life-threatening complications.

Late-presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia

BACKGROUND

Late-presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a rare subset of CDH, most of the information derived from small series or case reports. The aim of this study was to document the clinical manifestations of late-presenting CDH using a large multicenter database.

METHODS

Information about late-presenting CDH (diagnosed at later than 30 days of age) was identified from the database of the CDH Study Group (3098 cases collected during 1995-2004) and reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Seventy-nine cases (2.6%) from 30 centers met the inclusion criteria. Seven cases had a Morgagni hernia. There were 50 males (65%) and 27 females (35%). The mean age at diagnosis was 372 days (32 days to 15 years). Major associated anomalies (10 cardiac and 7 chromosomal abnormalities) were identified in 12 cases (15%). Presenting symptoms were respiratory in 20 (43%), gastrointestinal in 15 (33%), both in 6 (13%), and none (asymptomatic) in 5 (11%). The hernia was left-sided in 53 (69%), right-sided in 21 (27%), and central or bilateral in 3 (4%). Patients with gastrointestinal symptoms invariably had left-sided hernias (n = 19), whereas patients with respiratory symptoms (n = 24) seemed equally likely to have right- or left-sided lesions. A primary repair without patch was done in all cases with 100% survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Presenting symptoms of late-onset CDH can be respiratory or gastrointestinal, but presentation with gastrointestinal problems was more common in left-sided hernias, whereas respiratory symptoms predominated in right-sided lesions. The prognosis is excellent once the correct diagnosis is made.

An unusual late presentation of a congenital diaphragmatic hernia

An unusual and late-presenting case of left Bochdalek diaphragmatic hernia is presented to highlight the fact that the timing and mechanism of presentation of the hernia remains obscure. In this case there were two previous admissions, initially for a left upper lobe lobectomy for congenital lobar emphysema and a subsequent admission for bronchiolitis. He then presented at the age of nine months, with acute respiratory distress and was diagnosed to have a left diaphragmatic hernia. This is the first case of a late- presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia reported in association with a previous ipsilateral lobectomy for congenital lobar emphysema. A brief review of late -presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernias is given and an alternative theory is proposed for the mechanism of late presentation.

Late-presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia in children: a literature review

This is a review of 122 articles published until December 2003 that describe 349 children with late-presenting postero-lateral congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Data regarding pre-operative diagnostic work-up were adequately reported in 177 patients with left CDH and in 41 with a right-sided defect. Chest radiography was the only diagnostic study in 92 (51.9%) children from the former group and in 17 (43.9%) from the latter group. In other patients, diagnostic work-up encompassed various combinations of two or more imaging modalities. Apart from chest radiography, contrast study of the upper gastrointestinal tract was the most frequently performed imaging modality. In 88 (25.2%) children, initial radiographic features of CDH were misinterpreted. Pneumothorax and pleural effusion were the most common initial findings. Analysis of the hernial content in this group of patients has shown that herniation of the stomach, spleen or omentum should be regarded as risk factors for misdiagnosis of left CDH, whereas for right CDH, the risk factor is the presence of liver in the chest. Late-presenting CDH may pose a significant diagnostic problem because of the great variability of radiographic appearance. Chest radiography following passage of a nasogastric tube and contrast studies of the gastrointestinal tract seem to be the most useful investigations for the diagnosis of left CDH. For patients with right CDH, owing to the high probability of liver herniation, a chest radiograph with liver scintigraphy or CT seems to be the best diagnostic option.

Late-presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia in children: a clinical spectrum

Articles dealing with late-presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) in children published until 2003 were collectively reviewed. The main purpose of the presented study was to gain insight into the clinical spectrum of this variant of CDH and to discuss its clinical and surgical aspects. In 125 articles, 362 patients were reported. Left posterolateral hernia was the dominant anatomical type, found in 79.4% of the children. Male-to-female distribution was nearly 2:1 in both right- and left-sided CDH. Associated anomalies were noted in 8.6% of children. Sixty-five percent of children with right CDH presented within the 1st year of life, whereas only 41.7% of patients with left CDH belonged to this age group. The children with right CDH presented with chronic symptoms in 57.4% of cases, while among those with left CDH, acute presentation prevailed, constituting 60.5% of this group. No strict correlation between age and clinical symptoms was noted, although the youngest patients tended to present with respiratory symptoms. Late-presenting diaphragmatic hernia is associated with a wide range of clinical symptoms occurring in various constellations. Dyspnea and vomiting were the most frequent symptoms found in patients with either chronic or acute manifestation. Preoperative mortality was 3.9% (14 children). In 45 children (12.4%), complications resulting from diaphragmatic hernia were noted, and in a further 11 children iatrogenic preoperative complications were noted. Among 152 children with reported CDH, true hernia with sac was found in 32.7%. Eight children (2.2%) died in the early postoperative period, while a further 13 patients (3.6%) had postoperative complications requiring surgical management. Recurrence of hernia was noted in seven children (1.9%). This collective review of basic epidemiological and clinical data from a large group of patients seems to support a hypothesis for a congenital nature of the diaphragmatic defect and an acquired nature of "herniation" of the viscera. The wide clinical spectrum of late-presenting CDH seems to be conditioned by two factors: timing of herniation and type of intraabdominal viscera displaced into the chest.

An adult case of Bochdalek hernia complicated with hemothorax

A 53-year-old female with mild shock due to vomiting and abdominal pain visited the emergency room of our hospital. Chest X-ray on admission showed a large amount of left pleural effusion. Thoracentesis revealed hemorrhagic pleural effusion. An upper gastrointestinal series showed interruption of the upper gastric body, but the anal side was not visualized. Contrast X-ray examination of the thoracic cavity via the drainage tube demonstrated intrathoracic herniation through the diaphragm. These findings suggested gastric impaction in the foramen of Bochdalek, and thoracotomy was immediately performed. A black-colored stomach and greater omentum, suggesting necrotic changes, were observed in the thoracic cavity, and there was bleeding from the greater omentum. Resection of the necrotic organs and closure of the hernial orifice were followed by good recovery.

Right-sided diaphragmatic hernia masquerading as staphylococcal pneumonia

A 9-month-old infant who was diagnosed to have right-sided diaphragmatic hernia with no other associated anomalies, is being reported here. He had presented with cough for one month and respiratory difficulty for one-week duration and history of bilious vomiting two days prior to admission. His chest X-ray showed multiple lucent shadows in the right lower zone in A-P and lateral views, with not very well defined diaphragm on the same side. A diagnosis of staphylococcal pneumonia was considered but with clinical and radiological picture, a right-sided diaphragmatic hernia was strongly suspected which was confirmed by doing fluoroscopy and CT-scan of the chest. He underwent a successful correction of the defect. So radiological finding of pleural effusion with displacement of mediastinum to the left and the presence of bowel gas high in the right upper quadrant should alert the possibility of a right-sided Bochdalek hernia.

Bochdalek diaphragmatic hernia: not only a neonatal disease

AIMS

To characterise the clinical manifestations of late presenting Bochdalek diaphragmatic hernia (DH), the incidence of misdiagnosis, and prognosis; and to explore the sequence of events that leads to this clinical picture.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review. All children with Bochdalek DH were identified. Children 1 month of age and older at the time of diagnosis were included.

RESULTS

Twenty two children with Bochdalek DH met the inclusion criteria. Three clinical presentations could be defined. Fourteen children presented with acute onset of symptoms, predominantly vomiting and respiratory distress. Four had chronic non-specific gastrointestinal or respiratory symptoms, and in four the DH was found incidentally. Although five children were initially misdiagnosed, in 20 children (91%) the correct diagnosis was made on x ray examination. One child experienced a complicated course when the x ray picture was misinterpreted as pneumothorax. All children had favourable outcome. Two children had previously normal chest imaging, suggesting acquired herniation. A large pleural effusion without DH in a 9.5 year old girl with an abdominal infection prior to presenting with herniation suggests a pre-existing defect in the diaphragm.

CONCLUSIONS

Late presenting Bochdalek DH can present with acute or chronic gastrointestinal, or less frequently, respiratory symptoms. It can also be found incidentally. Misdiagnosis can result in significant morbidity. Favourable outcome is expected when the correct diagnosis is made. The sequence of events is probably herniation of abdominal viscera through a pre-existing diaphragmatic defect. Although rare, DH should be considered in any child presenting with respiratory distress or with symptoms suggestive of gastrointestinal obstruction.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia misdiagnosed as tension pneumothorax

Drainage of the pleural space is undertaken as an emergency when there is respiratory distress and the radiological appearance of mediastinal shift. We present two cases in which the initial diagnosis was tension pneumothorax and chest drains were inserted. In both cases, the diagnosis turned out to be congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Late-appearing diaphragmatic hernia following resolution of right pleural effusion

A case of late-appearing congenital diaphragmatic hernia in a premature infant with previously normal chest X-ray is reported. Pleural effusion accumulation and resolution preceded herniation of the liver to the right hemithorax and development of respiratory symptoms. Chest X-ray, ultrasound and computed tomography of the chest were useful in establishing the correct diagnosis. Pleural effusion without obvious cause should alert the paediatrician to the possibility of this rare condition.

Acute presentation of congenital diaphragmatic hernia past the neonatal period: a life threatening emergency

PURPOSE

Major gastric distension in the left hemithorax can threaten life in patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) presenting after the neonatal period. After presentation of two pediatric cases, guidelines for the optimal care of these patients are given.

CLINICAL FEATURES

Both children had respiratory and cardio-circulatory compromise on arrival. The diagnosis of late presenting CDH was made and the severity of symptoms was related to a voluminous distension of an intrathoracic stomach. Successful placement of an naso-gastric tube in the first patient, lead to a rapid clinical improvement, allowing surgical repair. In the second patient, oro- or naso-gastric decompression was not possible, and while the lungs were mechanically ventilated and the patient was prepared for surgery, a sudden cardiocirculatory arrest was managed by external chest compressions and rescuscitation drugs. Transthoracic percutaneous decompression of the stomach was the sole treatment allowing spontaneous cardiac activity to reappear, and haemodynamic condition to normalize. However, the child died from brain death after this episode.

CONCLUSION

Gastric decompression is the key for the treatment of patients with CDH who present respiratory and/or cardiocirculatory distress due to the intrathoracic distension of the stomach. If an oro- or naso-gastric decompression is not possible, then radiologically directed percutaneous decompression under local anesthesia is required. After decompression, the patient is prepared for surgery, with particular emphasis on fluids infusion, in order to correct the frequently associated hypovolaemia.

Fetal diaphragmatic hernia without visceral herniation

Many cases of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) are currently detected before birth. The authors hypothesized that there is a subgroup of patients with CDH who have no evidence of visceral herniation in utero and who would be expected to have less pulmonary hypoplasia and a good prognosis. Among 41 neonates with left-sided CDH treated between January 1990 and October 1993, 17 cases were diagnosed after birth. Ten of the 17 had undergone detailed fetal sonographic imaging at or after 20 weeks' gestation. After independent review of the prenatal scans of these 10 patients, one was found to have evidence of a diaphragmatic hernia and was excluded from further analysis. The other nine fetuses survived, and prosthetic repair of the diaphragmatic defect and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) were each required in only one patient. This contrasted with the outcome for 18 control patients with prenatally diagnosed CDH: 4 (22%) died, 13 (72%) required prosthetic repair, 9 (50%) were supported with ECMO and the duration of ventilatory support and hospital stay were significantly longer. There is a spectrum of severity among both pre and postnatally diagnosed cases of CDH. In the neonate with an isolated left-sided diaphragmatic hernia, a good prognosis is to be expected if the condition was not detectable by detailed prenatal sonography in the second half of pregnancy.

Diaphragmatic hernia masquerading as pneumothorax in two toddlers

In two separate incidents, two toddlers with no previous history of respiratory ailments presented to the emergency department of a children's hospital with progressive respiratory distress. Both children had unilateral lung findings on auscultation and initial chest radiographs that were consistent with a pneumothorax. Thoracostomy and chest tube insertion were performed during initial resuscitation efforts. In both cases, subsequent radiographs revealed that the stomach was located in the left hemithorax, suggestive of a diaphragmatic hernia. Nasogastric tube insertion relieved the respiratory distress of these two children. Recognition of the "acquired" congenital diaphragmatic hernia in the setting of extreme aerophagia or mild abdominal trauma may prevent unnecessary procedures during the resuscitation of children with acute respiratory distress and unilateral lung findings.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia presenting due to gastrointestinal complications

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) presents beyond the first hours of life in 10% to 20% of cases. Presenting symptoms may be quite nonspecific, and are often gastrointestinal rather than respiratory in origin. We have recently had experience with five such cases, one in a newborn and four in older children. All presented with symptoms related to gastrointestinal complications of their diaphragmatic defect. In the newborn, gastric perforation had occurred, a complication of this anomaly not previously reported. The chest radiograph showed loops of bowel in the chest in all cases, allowing correct preoperative diagnoses. Urgent operative intervention was undertaken in each case with good results and no long-term morbidity. The risk of intestinal strangulation in the late-presenting CDH patient warrants emergent surgical management, which should be rewarded by uniform survival with few complications. Although preoperative stabilization may decrease the severity of pulmonary vasospasm in the newborn with respiratory failure, delay may increase the risk of bowel infarction in the older child presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms.

The late presentation of postero-lateral congenital diaphragmatic hernias

Four patients presenting after the neonatal period with a combination of respiratory and gastro-intestinal symptoms and signs which point to the diagnosis of congenital postero-lateral diaphragmatic hernias are discussed. Late presentation is more common than previously acknowledged. Early correct diagnosis and treatment are associated with an excellent clinical outcome.

Delayed presentation of congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Eight patients aged 1 month up to nine years with congenital diaphragmatic hernias (seven left sided postero-lateral, one right-sided antero-medial), who presented outside of the neonatal period, are reported, four are described in detail. Radiographic presentation was obvious in four patients, simulated inflammatory lung disease in one and pneumothorax in two. In one patient a Morgagni hernia was primarily missed. Two had previous normal chest X-rays. All cases with herniated bowel showed "connecting" bowel segments passing through the diaphragmatic defect. Primarily the lack of awareness of delayed presentation of congenital diaphragmatic hernia in children with uncharacteristic thoracic and/or abdominal symptoms led to an undesirable time delay between first chest X-ray and surgery up to 16 months in four of our cases. Life threatening complications can be the consequence of delayed diagnosis as in one of our cases.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia beyond infancy

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a common cause of severe respiratory distress in the newborn. However, the presentation of CDH in older children and adults is rare, and, therefore, little is known concerning its symptoms, operative management, and postoperative complications. Thirteen patients (age range: 2 months to 26 years; 5 males, 8 females) presented with CDH. Four patients had right-sided hernias, eight left-sided hernias, and one bilateral hernias. Symptoms included chronic respiratory tract infections in 6 patients, vomiting in 5, weight loss in 1, severe failure to thrive in 2, and severe respiratory distress in 3; one patient was asymptomatic. Physical signs included the absence of breathing sounds or bowel sounds in the chest in eight patients, hyperresonance in one, and cachexia in two. The diagnosis was confirmed in each patient by chest roentgenogram or gastrointestinal contrast radiograph. All patients underwent immediate repair. After reduction of the viscera, 12 of 13 patients underwent primary diaphragm repair, whereas one patient required a prosthetic diaphragm patch. Twelve of 13 patients (92%) survived. Postoperatively, 7 of the 12 survivors (58%) developed severe gastric atony, and four required further operative therapy. In contrast to newborns, CDH in the older child and adult is frequently seen on the right side, rarely presents with severe respiratory distress, and is occasionally asymptomatic. Postoperative gastric atony is a major cause of morbidity, making transabdominal repair with simultaneous pyloroplasty and/or feeding jejunostomy the preferred operative approach.

Unsuspected diaphragmatic hernia: a potential cause of sudden and unexpected death in infancy and early childhood

Congenital diaphragmatic hernias are usually found in neonates who present with respiratory distress. However, a significant number may remain clinically undiagnosed until much later in life. Of interest, the prognosis is felt to be better in this latter group. We describe three previously well patients (aged 2, 4, and 24 months) who suffered unexpected cardiorespiratory arrests due to unsuspected congenital diaphragmatic defects with intestinal herniation. Deaths resulted from cardiovascular and respiratory compromise due to visceral herniation that caused mediastinal and pulmonary compression.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia presenting as massive gastrothorax

Delayed herniation of abdominal contents through a congenital diaphragmatic hernia may occur beyond the neonatal period. The case of a 29-month-old child with a Bochdalek hernia presenting as acute respiratory failure is presented. Chest radiography showed a tension gastrothorax that was misread as a tension pneumothorax. Tube thoracostomy resulted in clinical improvement by perforating and decompressing the stomach. Nasogastric tube placement confirmed herniation of the stomach into the left chest and is the initial treatment of choice when a tension gastrothorax is identified. A congenital diaphragmatic hernia must be recognized promptly so that rapid gastric decompression and surgical repair of the diaphragmatic defect can be performed.

Congenital diaphragmatic defects that present late

Twenty two patients (age range: 1 month to 11 years) were treated for congenital diaphragmatic defects (excluding hiatus hernia) in the six year period 1983-8. Presenting features were failure to thrive (n = 7), abdominal pain and vomiting (n = 4), chronic respiratory symptoms (n = 3), and inability to wean from ventilatory support (n = 3). The defect was an incidental finding in five patients. Operative repair was performed with no mortality or serious postoperative morbidity. Dramatic improvement occurred in 15 of the 17 symptomatic patients. Awareness of the differential diagnosis should avoid delay in diagnosis or inappropriate treatment. Surgical correction is strongly recommended in all cases.

The late-presenting pediatric Bochdalek hernia: a 20-year review

A 20-year retrospective study was made of children with congenital posterolateral (Bochdalek) hernias presenting more than 8 weeks after birth. The records of 26 patients (16 boys and 10 girls) were evaluated. Sixteen infants and children (62%) were originally misdiagnosed clinically and radiologically as having either infective lung changes, congenital lung cysts, or pneumothoraces; inappropriate thoracentesis occurred in four patients misdiagnosed as having a pneumothorax. Five patients had previously normal chest radiographs. The most useful investigation was a plain radiograph following passage of a nasogastric tube. Coexisting abnormalities (in particular, gut malfixation and malrotation) were common. All patients except one were operated on within days of presentation, and as emergencies if symptoms were acute. More than one third of our patients were left with a smaller than normal ipsilateral lung after their diaphragmatic hernia repair, and these lungs must be considered hypoplastic to some degree. Chest tubes made no difference in the lung's eventual expansion. Two deaths occurred as a result of acute cardiorespiratory arrest in previously well children. Therefore, the symptoms, signs, and radiologic findings of patients with diaphragmatic hernias presenting after the neonatal period may be difficult to interpret, and may result in diagnostic delay, misguided therapy, and a potentially fatal outcome.

Childhood diaphragmatic hernias presenting after the neonatal period

Twenty-six patients with Bochdalek hernias and 15 with Morgagni hernias were evaluated in a survey of children presenting over the age of 8 weeks during a 20 year period. Ten of the children had previously normal chest radiographs. Radiological assessment at presentation was incorrect with 15 Bochdalek and two Morgagni hernias. These errors were more common in interpretations by general radiologists. Inappropriate thoracocentesis had been performed in four cases misdiagnosed as pneumothoraces. Barium studies, fluoroscopy, erect views and plain radiographs after nasogastric intubation were helpful investigations. Post-operative evidence of lobar collapse and pulmonary hypoplasia was frequently not appreciated at the time of clinical and radiological follow-up. Other congenital anomalies were commonly seen, particularly with Morgagni hernias. Bowel malfixation and malrotation, an important association, was frequently present but was occasionally overlooked at operation, necessitating further surgery for bowel obstruction.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia continues to be a critical problem in neonatal surgery. Despite the apparent simplicity of the anatomic defect, the physiology is complex, and survival remains uncertain. Surgical success has been achieved, but we recognize that the barrier to survival is pulmonary parenchymal and vascular hypoplasia as well as the complex syndrome of persistent fetal circulation. In many ways the problem of diaphragmatic hernia is as much of an enigma to today's physician-scientist as it was to Bochdalek in the nineteenth century. The treatment of respiratory distress after repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia has brought out the most creative and innovative efforts of pediatric surgeons in both the laboratory and the intensive care unit.

Incarcerated congenital diaphragmatic hernias with bowel obstruction (Bochdalek)

Incarcerated congenital diaphragmatic hernias are a rare cause of bowel obstruction in children. In the past 3 yr, we have treated three such diaphragmatic hernias: the first incarcerated and strangulated requiring bowel resection while the other two were incarcerated only. The difficulty in diagnosing this condition in illustrated by these cases. In all children with the triad of upper respiratory illness (URI) or infiltrate on chest x-ray, vomiting, and x-ray evidence of bowel obstruction, the diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) with incarceration and bowel obstruction should be entertained.

"Acquired" congenital diaphragmatic hernia following early onset group B streptococcal pneumonia

A newborn baby who presented with neonatal pneumonia due to group B streptococcus and who required artificial ventilation is described. After the infant was weaned from the respirator, increasing respiratory distress led to the diagnosis of posterolateral diaphragmatic hernia.