Diaphragmatic hernia explained

Diaphragmatic hernia is a defect or hole in the diaphragm that allows the abdominal contents to move into the chest cavity. Treatment is usually surgical.

Types

• Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
  • Morgagni's hernia
  • Bochdalek hernia
• Hiatal hernia
• Iatrogenic diaphragmatic hernia
• Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia

Signs and symptoms

A scaphoid abdomen (sucked inwards) may be the presenting symptom in a newborn.^[1]

Diagnosis

Diagnosis can be made by either CT or X-ray.

Treatment

Treatment for a diaphragmatic hernia usually involves surgery, with acute injuries often repaired with monofilament permanent sutures.^[2]

Other animals

Peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia is a type of hernia more common in other mammals. This is usually treated with surgery.

References

Bibliography

• Eren S, Ciris F . Diaphragmatic hernia: diagnostic approaches with review of the literature . Eur J Radiol . 2005 . 448–59 . 54 . 3 . 10.1016/j.ejrad.2004.09.008 . 15899350.

Notes and References

1. Book: Durward, Heather . Baston, Helen . Examination of the newborn: a practical guide . Routledge . New York . 2001 . 134 . 0-415-19184-X .
2. Turhan . Kutsal . Makay . Ozer . Cakan . Alpaslan . Samancilar . Ozgur . Firat . Ozgur . Icoz . Gokhan . Cagirici . Ufuk . June 2008 . Traumatic diaphragmatic rupture . European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery . 33 . 6 . 1082–1085 . 10.1016/j.ejcts.2008.01.029 . 1010-7940 . 18299201. free .