Open Journal of Thoracic Surgery, 2018, 8, 1-5
http://www.scirp.org/journal/ojts
ISSN Online: 2164-3067
ISSN Print: 2164-3059
DOI: 10.4236/ojts.2018.81001 Mar. 14, 2018 1 Open Journal of Thoracic Surgery
Post-Traumatic Right Diaphragmatic Hernia
with Hepatothorax
Elias Amorim
1
, Frederico Berniz Aragão
2
, Armando Veiga
2
, Alexandre Porto Galdez
2
1
Head of Thoracic Surgery Service of the Maranhense Medical Center, São Luís, Brazil
2
Thoracic Surgeon of Maranhense Medical Center, São Luís, Brazil
Abstract
Introduction: Traumatic right diaphragmatic hernia is an extremely rare ent-
ity, given the protection afforded by the liver. Clinical Case: A 51-year-old
women who suffered a road-traffic accident presented with a heavy sensation
and several episodes of moderate pain in the left hemithorax. Physical and ra-
diological exams revealed a traumatic right hernia. Discussion: The diagnosis
of hernia should be established as quickly as possible to reduce morbidity and
mortality. Treatment of the injury is always surgical and outcome is invariably
positive. Conclusion: The diagnosis of diaphragmatic hernia should always be
considered in patients suffering road-traffic accidents to allow early diagnosis
and successful treatment.
Keywords
Traumatic Diaphragmatic Hernia, Thoracic Surgery, Traumatology,
Hepatothorax
1. Introduction
Traumatic injuries were first mentioned by Sennertus in 1541. In 1579,
Ambrósio Paré reported a blunt trauma case. In 1853, Bodwicht established the
first diagnosis of blunt left thoracic trauma. Riof (1886) and Walter (1889) suc-
cessfully treated a hernia [1] [2].
Diaphragmatic injury due to trauma is a rare entity that is hard to diagnose,
leading to delayed treatment and increased morbidity [3].
Abdominal hernia is a rare consequence of thoraco-abdominal trauma. Her-
niation of the right side of the diaphragm is an extremely rare condition owing
to protection by the liver. Acute presentation is often life-threatening and early
diagnosis is critical [4] [5].
How to cite this paper: Amorim, E.,
Aragão, F.B., Veiga, A. and Galdez, A.P.
(2018) Post-Traumatic Right Diaphrag-
matic Hernia with Hepatothorax. Open
Journal of Thoracic Surgery, 8, 1-5.
https://doi.org/10.4236/ojts.2018.81001
Received: January 15, 2018
Accepted: March 11, 2018
Published: March 14, 2018
Copyright © 2018 by authors and
Scientific Research Publishing Inc.
This work is licensed under the Creative
Commons Attribution International
License (CC BY 4.0).
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Open Access