Morgagni hernia mimicking pneumonia in Down syndrome

Two unusual fat-containing mediastinal entities: Pearls and pitfalls in imaging of Morgagni hernia and fat necrosis

This review focuses on 2 fat-containing entities in the mediastinum that may raise a diagnostic challenge: Morgagni's hernia and Epipericardial (mediastinal) fat necrosis. Familiarity with the typical imaging findings of these 2 entities is vital for the radiologist to recognize and accurately characterize unusual mediastinal pathological conditions.

Laparoscopic repair of Morgagni hernia in children

Aim

We aimed to present our laparoscopic treatment experience in Morgagni hernia repair.

Methods

The patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery with diagnosis of Morgagni hernia between 2016 and 2019 were evaluated retrospectively.

Results

Their mean age at diagnosis was 4,1 ± 2,6 years (1 year-13 years). All patients were male. The presenting complaints were respiratory tract infection in 3 patients and vomiting in 3. Two patients were diagnosed incidentally. Associated Down's Syndrome was detected in 3 (38%) cases. The defect was left-sided in 7 (87.5%) patients and bilateral in 1 (12,5%). Omentum was herniated in 2 patients, colon and omentum were in 6 and colon, omentum and stomach were in one. All patients underwent primary repair extracorporeally by removing sutures from single incision, without removal of the hernia sac. There were no complications or recurrence in the mean 19,2 ± 15,8 months (6-42 months) follow-up period.

Conclusions

Minimal invasive repair of Morgagni hernia is efficient and safe. It should be the first choice because of fast recovery and better cosmetic results. In this series, it was seen that leaving the hernia sac had no effect on early and late complications. Leaving the hernia sac may prevent potential complications due to unnecessary dissection.

Minimally invasive repair of Morgagni hernia - A multicenter case series

Children may benefit from minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in the correction of Morgagni hernia (MH). The present study aims to evaluate the outcome of MIS through a multicenter study. National institutions that use MIS in the treatment of MH were included. Demographic, clinical and operative data were analyzed. Thirteen patients with MH (6 males) were operated using similar MIS technique (percutaneous stitches) at a mean age of 22.2±18.3 months. Six patients had chromosomopathies (46%), five with Down syndrome (39%). Respiratory complaints were the most common presentation (54%). Surgery lasted 95±23min. In none of the patients was the hernia sac removed; prosthesis was never used. In the immediate post-operative period, 4 patients (36%) were admitted to intensive care unit (all with Down syndrome); all patients started enteral feeds within the first 24h. With a mean follow-up of 56±16.6 months, there were two recurrences (18%) at the same institution, one of which was repaired with an absorbable suture; both with Down syndrome. The application of MIS in the MH repair is effective even in the presence of comorbidities such as Down syndrome; the latter influences the immediate postoperative recovery and possibly the recurrence rate. Removal of hernia sac does not seem necessary. Non-absorbable sutures may be more appropriate.

Intra-thoracic appendicitis in a child with Down's syndrome

Morgagni congenital diaphragmatic hernias are rare. They are associated with chromosomal anomalies, especially Down's syndrome. Acute appendicitis is the most common surgical emergency in childhood, but accurate diagnosis can be a challenge if encountered out of the usual anatomical position. This is the first case report of acute appendicitis within a Morgagni hernia in a child with Down's syndrome.

Down's syndrome as a factor in the diagnosis, management, and outcome in patients of Morgagni hernia

PURPOSE

The purpose was to study the impact of Down's syndrome (DS) in the diagnosis, management, and outcomes of patients with Morgagni hernia (MH).

METHODS

Twenty-two (22) patients with MH treated at a tertiary center were retrospectively studied for history, findings, associated anomalies, referral diagnoses, hospital admissions, radiological procedures for diagnosis, age at which operated on, operative procedure, complications, and recurrences. Eleven did not have DS (group 1); 11 others had associated DS (group 2). The ages at operation were compared in the 2 groups using the Mann-Whitney test. More than 3 hospital admissions for symptoms and signs relevant to MH before a diagnosis of MH were considered a "delayed diagnosis."

RESULTS

Twenty-two patients (7 females, 15 males) aged 3 months to 10 years were seen. They presented with respiratory distress (n = 16), with vomiting (n = 5), with intestinal obstruction (n = 1), by serendipity (n = 2), and with recurrence from another hospital (n = 1). The mean age of group 1 was 14.5 months, and that of group 2 was 29.18 months; the difference was not significant (P = .621). Nine patients of group 2 were "delayed diagnosis" compared with 2 in group 1. Both delays from group 1 had severe associated anomalies. All patients underwent operative correction (17 open and 5 laparoscopic repairs). Two had recurrences, one operated on by the open method by us and another laparoscopically by the Lima technique at another center. Both had DS. Both were reoperated on by the open method.

CONCLUSIONS

The diagnosis of MH may be strikingly delayed when associated with DS or other severe congenital anomalies. Morgagni hernia should be strongly considered in patients with DS admitted repeatedly for chest infections. Chest x-rays in 2 planes may avoid misdiagnosis of MH. Both open and laparoscopic methods have proven satisfactory as operative treatment of MH. Recurrences were seen in patients with DS, which may be corrected by laparotomy or laparoscopically. We feel that resecting the sac and approximating the posterior lip of the defect to the anterior abdominal wall, whether in open or laparoscopic methods, may give stronger repairs, which may avoid recurrence.

Community-acquired pneumonia in adults with Down syndrome. Three clinical cases and a review of the literature

John Langdon Down first described this genetic disorder known today as Down syndrome (DS), due to a trisomy of chromosome 21. The frequent appearance of respiratory infections in DS is attributed to structural and functional anomalies of the respiratory system, the presence of congenital heart malformations and IgG deficits.

We present three clinical cases of adult DS patients with community-acquired pneumonia, and a review of the literature regarding: epidemiology, prevalence, symptomatology, laboratory and radiographic findings, morbidity, mortality, clinical evolution and the importance of prevention of pneumonia in DS patients. These patients presented symptoms of acute infection of the lower respiratory tract: high fever, scanty productive cough with or without sputum, pleuritic chest pain, dyspnea, fatigue, myalgia, and other atypical symptoms. Chest radiography showed focal inflammatory condensation in the affected lung and bilateral alveolo-interstitial infiltrate. Laboratory tests showed increased values of leukocytes and C-reactive protein, deficiency of IgG and low lymphocyte CD4+.

Patients with DS are highly susceptible to lower and higher respiratory tract infection. Community physicians should take exceptional precautions on detecting respiratory symptoms in these patients, since they may result in pneumonia and bronchopneumonia. Presentation may be atypical and the complications may even lead to mortality.

Neumonía adquirida en la comunidad en pacientes adultos con síndrome de Down. Presentación de tres casos clínicos y revisión de la literatura

John Langdon Down fue el primero en describir el cuadro clínico de esta alteración genética caracterizada por trisomía del cromosoma 21, también conocida como síndrome de Down (SD). La frecuente aparición de infecciones respiratorias en el SD se atribuye a numerosas anomalías estructurales y funcionales, a la presencia de malformaciones congénitas cardíacas y a déficits de IgG.

Se presentan tres casos clínicos de pacientes adultos con SD que padecieron una neumonía adquirida en la comunidad y se realiza una revisión bibliográfica considerando los aspectos epidemiológicos, la prevalencia, el cuadro clínico, los datos de laboratorio y los radiológicos, la morbimortalidad, la evolución y la importancia de la prevención. Estos pacientes pueden presentar síntomas de infección aguda del aparato respiratorio bajo, como fiebre alta, tos con o sin expectoración, dolor torácico por irritación pleural, disnea, fatiga, mialgias, así como otros síntomas atípicos. La radiografía de tórax puede mostrar un foco de condensación inflamatoria en un pulmón, o un infiltrado alveolointersticial bilateral. La analítica de sangre puede mostrar leucocitosis, aumento de la proteína C reactiva, deficiencia de IgG y de los linfocitos CD4+.

Los pacientes con SD son altamente susceptibles a padecer infecciones respiratorias del tracto superior como del inferior. Los médicos deben tener especial precaución ante la presencia de síntomas respiratorios en estos pacientes, ya que en muchas ocasiones pueden desarrollar neumonías y bronconeumonías que se presentan de forma atípica y con complicaciones que se acompañan de alta mortalidad.