Late presentation of congenital diaphragmatic hernia: a case report

Diagnostic challenges in late-presentation congenital diaphragmatic hernia: A case study of a 10-month-old with respiratory symptoms

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a developmental disorder in which the diaphragm, the muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen, does not close during prenatal development, allowing abdominal organs to herniate into the chest cavity. It occurs mainly on the left side (80%-85% of cases). CDH is often identified during prenatal assessment. However, instances of late-presenting CDH beyond infancy are exceedingly uncommon, contributing to frequent misdiagnosis and delayed therapeutic intervention. We present a case of a 10-month-old female with an uneventful antenatal and perinatal history who presented with respiratory distress and multiple episodes of vomiting. Her vital signs were stable upon arrival, but she was sent to the PICU due to hypoactivity, reduced oral intake, and agitation. After an urgent CT scan, a herniation of the small and large bowel loops into the right hemithorax was discovered, along with a defect in the right hemidiaphragm. This resulted in a pleural effusion on the right side, a partially collapsed left lung, and a mediastinal shift to the left. The diaphragmatic hernia was corrected through a lateral thoracotomy at the sixth rib with multiple interrupted sutures, and a chest tube was then inserted into the pleural space above the diaphragm following a smooth reduction of the bowl. This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis, appropriate clinical investigation, and treatment. A good prognosis can be anticipated by promptly discovering and examining the condition.

Unmasking a hidden culprit: late-presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia beyond infancy: A case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a rare congenital anomaly with abnormal diaphragm development, typically diagnosed prenatally or soon after birth. Late-presenting CDH presents diagnostic challenges due to nonspecific symptoms that can lead to misdiagnoses.

METHODS

This report discusses a 35-month-old female initially presenting with predominant gastrointestinal symptoms and minimal respiratory distress. Initial radiographic findings suggested a left tension pneumothorax, prompting further investigation.

RESULTS

Subsequent diagnostic efforts revealed a Bochdalek-type left CDH, with several abdominal organs herniated into the thoracic cavity. The case was managed through laparotomy, where herniated contents were successfully repositioned into the abdominal cavity. This intervention underscores the need for high clinical suspicion and the importance of distinguishing between similar presentations, such as tension pneumothorax and tension gastrothorax, which require different management strategies.

CONCLUSION

The case illustrates the importance of considering CDH in differential diagnoses for older pediatric patients with atypical symptoms. Early recognition and appropriate management are key to improving patient outcomes.

Emergency Management of Acute Late-Presenting Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia in Infants and Children

OBJECTIVES

Acute late-presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) might result in mediastinal shift away from the lesion and even sudden cardiopulmonary arrest. This study aimed to discuss the prompt and effective emergency management of acute late-presenting CDH.

METHODS

A retrospective review of acute late-presenting CDH cases in West China Hospital of Sichuan University and Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital from October 2010 to June 2016 was conducted.

RESULTS

A total of 22 patients were included in this study. All the patients presented with respiratory symptoms. Chest x-ray revealed swollen stomach and mediastinal shift. After nasogastric tube placement, fluid infusion, and nasal oxygen breathing, the symptoms in 8 patients ameliorated, and 14 patients had no signs of obvious relief. Three patients underwent the bedside percutaneous puncture of distensible stomach, and 1 patient died in the process of emergent management for critical condition. The remaining 21 patients underwent emergency surgery. Five thoracotomies and 16 thoracoscopies were performed. Five thoracoscopies that were converted to thoracotomies were required for the difficult reduction of herniated stomach. At follow-up, all patients improved their condition.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute late-presenting CDH is a clinical emergency that can be fatal. The sudden and progressive expansion of the stomach is mainly responsible for this emergent condition. The prompt and effective management is key to decrease the mortality and achieve favorable prognosis.

Avoiding misdiagnosis in postnatal presentation of congenital diaphragmatic hernia: A report of two cases and review of radiologic features

Diagnosis of a congenital diaphragmatic hernia after the first day of life can be challenging. The clinical symptoms are often nonspecific, and initial radiographic findings in these patients may mimic many other acute chest conditions, including pneumonia, pleural effusion, and pneumothorax. In turn, diagnostic uncertainty may expose the patient to unnecessary and even potentially harmful interventions such as thoracostomy tube placement. As such, it is imperative that radiologists remain aware of this uncommon entity and recognize imaging findings which may provide clues to its diagnosis.

Diagnostic challenges in late-presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia: a 16-year experience from tertiary care centre in North India

With increasing use of ultrasound screening, the prenatal diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) in better resourced areas has become the norm. However, early diagnosis is still not universal in resource-poor settings and late presentations of CDH continue. We retrospectively analysed the medical records of children operated for late-presenting CDH from 2001 to 2016 at our tertiary care centre in North India. A total of 32 patients were operated during the period with a male-to-female ratio of 3:1. Of these, 78% presented with respiratory symptoms, 37% with recurrent vomiting and 18% with an acute abdomen. Nine (28%) had been treated erroneously for gastroenteritis and another six (18%) had received anti-tubercular therapy for variable periods. A plain chest radiograph with a Ryle's tube in situ was confirmatory in 75% (24/32). In conclusion, initial misdiagnosis and subsequent unnecessary therapeutic interventions were the leading cause of morbidity .

Congenital Right Morgagni Hernia Presenting in an Adult-a Case Report

Patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernias (CDH) usually present in the neonatal period with respiratory distress. Delayed presentation of CDH in adults is rare and difficult to diagnose. We present a 42-year-old female patient who came with complaints of epigastric pain and breathlessness on exertion. X-ray and CT scan of the chest revealed a right-sided Morgagni hernia. The contents of the hernia were reduced and a primary tension free repair of the hernia defect was done through laparotomy. The postoperative course was uneventful. A strong clinical suspicion and good interpretation of radiological images help diagnose CDH which present late. Prompt surgical repair is mandatory and the outcomes are usually favorable. Primary repair is usually successful; however, mesh repair may be required for larger defects.