Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia presenting as a tension fecopneumothorax. 2011

M A Khan, and G R Verma
Department of General Surgery, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. dratifkhan@rediffmail.com

A traumatic diaphragmatic hernia is a well-known complication following blunt abdominal or penetrating thoracic trauma. Although the majority of cases are diagnosed immediately, some patients may present later with a diaphragmatic hernia. It occurs in approximately 3% of abdominal traumas. Diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion since diaphragmatic injury can only reliably be ruled out by direct visualization, i.e., laparoscopy. Hence, delayed presentation with complications secondary to the injury is not uncommon. We discuss a case of a young man who presented in respiratory distress 5 years after a stab wound to the left chest. The patient was hypoxic, with a chest X-ray (CXR) demonstrating a pneumothorax with effusion. A chest tube was placed with a rush of air and feculent drainage. CT scan revealed an incarcerated transverse colon in a diaphragmatic hernia. The laparotomy demonstrated necrotic colon in the chest with gross fecal contamination in the chest. The diaphragmatic defect was closed and a Hartmann's procedure performed. The patient developed empyema in the postoperative period. Our patient is the twelfth reported case of a tension fecopneumothorax resulting from traumatic diaphragmatic herniation. This paper reviews all cases, including the diagnostic workup, operative approach, and expected postoperative course of this unusual condition.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007813 Laparotomy Incision into the side of the abdomen between the ribs and pelvis. Minilaparotomy,Laparotomies,Minilaparotomies
D008297 Male Males
D011030 Pneumothorax An accumulation of air or gas in the PLEURAL CAVITY, which may occur spontaneously or as a result of trauma or a pathological process. The gas may also be introduced deliberately during PNEUMOTHORAX, ARTIFICIAL. Pneumothorax, Primary Spontaneous,Pressure Pneumothorax,Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax,Spontaneous Pneumothorax,Tension Pneumothorax,Pneumothorax, Pressure,Pneumothorax, Spontaneous,Pneumothorax, Tension,Spontaneous Pneumothorax, Primary
D011859 Radiography Examination of any part of the body for diagnostic purposes by means of X-RAYS or GAMMA RAYS, recording the image on a sensitized surface (such as photographic film). Radiology, Diagnostic X-Ray,Roentgenography,X-Ray, Diagnostic,Diagnostic X-Ray,Diagnostic X-Ray Radiology,X-Ray Radiology, Diagnostic,Diagnostic X Ray,Diagnostic X Ray Radiology,Diagnostic X-Rays,Radiology, Diagnostic X Ray,X Ray Radiology, Diagnostic,X Ray, Diagnostic,X-Rays, Diagnostic
D003937 Diagnosis, Differential Determination of which one of two or more diseases or conditions a patient is suffering from by systematically comparing and contrasting results of diagnostic measures. Diagnoses, Differential,Differential Diagnoses,Differential Diagnosis
D003964 Diaphragm The musculofibrous partition that separates the THORACIC CAVITY from the ABDOMINAL CAVITY. Contraction of the diaphragm increases the volume of the thoracic cavity aiding INHALATION. Respiratory Diaphragm,Diaphragm, Respiratory,Diaphragms,Diaphragms, Respiratory,Respiratory Diaphragms
D006549 Hernia, Diaphragmatic, Traumatic The type of DIAPHRAGMATIC HERNIA caused by TRAUMA or injury, usually to the ABDOMEN. Diaphragmatic Hernia, Traumatic,Diaphragmatic Hernias, Traumatic,Hernia, Traumatic Diaphragmatic,Hernias, Traumatic Diaphragmatic,Traumatic Diaphragmatic Hernia,Traumatic Diaphragmatic Hernias
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D013997 Time Factors Elements of limited time intervals, contributing to particular results or situations. Time Series,Factor, Time,Time Factor

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