Hernia diafragmática: Un desafío diagnóstico / Diaphragmatic Hernia: A Diagnostic Challenge

Introducción: La hernia diafragmática traumática es una complicación grave del traumatismo abdominal o torácico. Se considera una entidad poco frecuente. El diagnóstico es difícil y, a menudo, puede pasar inadvertido. Objetivo: El propósito de este caso clínico es demostrar la necesidad de sospechar la presencia de hernia diafragmática en los pacientes con trauma toracoabdomial. Presentación del Caso: Paciente de 75 años que sufre accidente de tránsito, con evaluación inicial sin alteraciones clínico-radiológicas, que posteriormente presentan evolución desfavorable con hallazgo radiográfico de una hernia diafragmática traumática. Conclusiones: La hernia diafragmática cuando se presenta constituye un verdadero reto para el diagnóstico por parte del personal médico; pues esta requiere de un alto índice de sospecha y el uso adecuado de las imágenes diagnósticas. Se considera una entidad importante para la evaluación del paciente traumatizado(AU)

Introduction: Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia is a serious complication of abdominal or thoracic trauma. It is considered a rare pathology. The diagnosis is difficult and can often go unnoticed. Objective: The purpose of this clinical case is to demonstrate the need to suspect the presence of diaphragmatic hernia in patients with thoracoabdomial trauma. Case Presentation: Seventy-five-year-old patient who suffers a traffic accident. At initial evaluation no clinical-radiological alterations were observed, but later the patient presented an unfavorable evolution with radiographic finding of a traumatic diaphragmatic hernia. Conclusions: Diaphragmatic hernia, when present, is a real challenge for the diagnosis by the medical staff since it requires a high index of suspicion and an adequate use of diagnostic images. It is considered an important entity in the evaluation of the trauma patient(AU)

Abdomen agudo obstructivo por hernia diafragmática crónica postraumática / Obstructive acute abdomen due to postraumatic chronic diaphragmatic hernia

Se describe el caso clínico de un paciente de 37 años de edad, que acudió al Servicio de Emergencia del Hospital General Docente de Riobamba, en Ecuador, con manifestaciones clínicas e imagenológicas que permitieron diagnosticarle un abdomen agudo obstructivo por hernia diafragmática crónica postraumática, por lo que el tratamiento fue quirúrgico. Teniendo en cuenta la evolución satisfactoria del paciente se le dio el alta hospitalaria 10 días después de la operación. Se mantuvo con seguimiento durante 3 meses sin presentar complicaciones.

The case report of a 37 years patient that went to the Emergency Service of the Teaching General Hospital of Riobamba, in Ecuador, is described. He presented clinical and imaging signs that led to the diagnosis of an obstructive acute abdomen due to postraumatic chronic diaphragmatic hernia, reason why the treatment was surgical. Taking into account the patient's favorable clinical course he was discharged from the hospital 10 days after the surgery and received follow-up care during 3 months without presenting complications.

Hernia diafragmática secundaria a trauma: presentación tardía / Complicated diaphragmatic hernia: late outcome of trauma

Resumen Introducción: La hernia diafragmática complicada de presentación tardía constituye una urgencia quirúrgica. Los objetivos del presente estudio son la descripción de las características del diagnóstico de las hernias diafragmáticas de presentación tardía, tratamiento, resultados y la identificación del punto de corte entre el inicio de los síntomas y el desarrollo de necrosis. Pacientes y Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de una serie de casos constituida por todos los pacientes operados por hernia diafragmática complicada de presentación tardía entre los años 2006 y 2016. Se midieron variables categóricas y continuas que se presentan con estadística descriptiva. Se utilizaron curvas Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) a las 6 y 12 h desde el inicio de los síntomas, para determinar el punto de corte del tiempo de presentación clínica en pacientes sometidos a resección de algún órgano. Una vez establecido el punto de corte se calcularon la sensibilidad; especificidad; las razones de verosimilitud positiva y negativa; los valores predictivos positivo y negativo; y la prevalencia. Resultados: La presentación clínica, estudio, diagnóstico y tratamiento fue similar a lo descrito en la literatura quirúrgica. Se estableció el punto de corte a las 12 h con sensibilidad de 80% y especificidad de 83%. Conclusiones: El diagnóstico y tratamiento de estos pacientes debería ser llevado a cabo antes de las 6 h desde el inicio de los síntomas. Aun cuando el universo descrito es reducido, se sugiere que después de las 12 h desde el momento de la estrangulación, los órganos comprometidos se encontrarán necróticos requiriendo resección quirúrgica.

Introduction: Late presentation of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia constitutes a true surgical emergency. The purposes of this study were to describe the diagnostic characteristics, treatment and outcomes of late presentation diaphragmatic hernias and to identify a cutoff point from the onset of symptoms to necrosis development. Patients and Methods: A retrospective series of cases constituted by all patients subjected to emergency diaphragmatic hernia repair form 2006 to 2016 was studied. Categorical and continuous variables were measured and analyzed with descriptive statistics. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curves at 6 and 12 hours from the onset of symptoms were used to determine the cutoff point for organ resection. Once stablished the cutoff point, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and prevalence were calculated. Results: Clinical presentation, diagnostic study and surgical treatment were similar to what has been already described. The cutoff point was defined at 12 hours from the onset of symptoms with 80% sensitivity and 83% sensibility. Conclusions: The diagnosis and treatment of these cases should be carried on before the first 6 hours after the onset of symptoms. Even though the universe of this study was small, we may suggest that after 12 hours form the onset of symptoms, the implicated organs would be found necrotic requiring surgical resection.

Hérnia diafragmática direita associada à hepatotórax assintomático com correção de cirurgia precoce / Right diaphragmatic hernia associated to asymptomatic hepatotorax with early surgical correction

A ruptura diafragmática decorrente de lesão traumática é uma entidade rara, secundária ao trauma fechado ou penetrante. O diagnóstico é difícil, o que pode fazer com que o tratamento cirúrgico seja retardado, acarretando um aumento da morbimortalidade. Os autores relatam o caso de paciente de 39 anos, do sexo feminino, vítima de trauma com alto impacto devido a atropelamento. Após 13 dias de internamento, radiografia de tórax permaneceu com obliteração do seio costofrênico e velamento do terço inferior do hemitórax direito. Tomografia computadorizada de tórax evidenciou grande parte do fígado em posição intratorácica, sugerindo a possibilidade de ruptura torácica e hepatotórax. O tratamento foi realizado por meio de uma toracotomia anterolateral direita com rafia do defeito diafragmático e redução do saco herniário. Sendo assim, apesar de raro, o hepatotórax é uma entidade que deve sempre ser lembrada em pacientes vítimas de traumas torácicos de alta intensidade.

The diaphragmatic rupture due to traumatic injury is a very rare entity that may be due to blunt or penetrating trauma. Diagnosis is difficult and therefore surgical treatment may be delayed, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. The authors report the case of a 39-year-old patient, female, who was victim of a high-impact trauma due to trampling. Standard chest X-ray did not showed positive evolution after 13 days of hospitalization, with costophrenic angle obliteration and opacification of the lower third of the right hemithorax. It asked then a chest CT scan that showed much of the liver in intratoracic position. The treatment was carried out successfully by a right anterolateral thoracotomy with suture and correction of diaphragmatic hernia. Thus, although rare, hepatotorax is an entity that should always be remembered in trauma patients with high impact.

Hernia diafragmática traumática derecha / Right traumatic diaphragmatic hernia

Paciente masculino, de 47 años de edad que sufrió un accidente automovilístico en el año 1991, con fractura de columna lumbar , que dejó como secuela una paraparesia flácida postraumática con nivel neurológico de lesión del segmento L5, con disminución de la fuerza muscular y de la sensibilidad en las extremidades inferiores. Se le hizo inmovilización con yeso durante 6 meses y fue intervenido quirúrgicamente en ese propio año. Se le realizó fijación y osteosíntesis con material metálico. Se rehabilitó durante varios anos alcanzando buen fortalecimiento muscular y en noviembre de 2008, en horas de la noche, comienza con dolor intenso a nivel de hipocondrio y hemitórax derecho, que se incrementa con el decúbito supino y mejora con el decúbito lateral izquierdo y con disnea moderada. Al examen físico del tórax, se constató aumento de la matidez del tercio inferior del hemitórax derecho y se auscultaron ruidos hidroaéreos a este nivel. Se realizó radiografía (Rx) de tórax vista posteroanterior(PA), donde se constató elevación del hemidiafragma derecho e imagen compatible con presencia de asas intestinales en el tercio inferior de este hemitórax. Se diagnosticó una hernia diafragmática traumática derecha , que es una enfermedad poco frecuente debido al efecto amortiguador del hígado. Se realizó tratamiento médico inicialmente y una hora después , cesa el dolor. Se redujo la hernia de manera espontánea, lo que se corroboró en el Rx de tórax ( vista PA) evolutivo. Posteriormente fue intervenido quirúrgicamente de forma electiva y el resultado fue favorable(AU)

A 47 years-old male patient, who was injured in a car accident in 1991 and suffered lumbar column fracture that left as a sequel a postraumatic flaccid paraparesia with neurological lesion of L5 segment, reduction of muscle strength and sensitivity in lower limbs. He had plaster for 6 months and was surgically treated in that year. He underwent fixation and osteosynthesis with metal material. During several years, he went to rehabilitation program and finally achieved good muscle strengthening. In November 2008, he began feeling intense pain at hypochondrium and right hemithorax at night and also moderate dyspnea. On the physical exam, it was confirmed that there was increase of lower third of right hemithorax and hydroaerial noises were heard. Chest x-ray using posteroanterior view was performed, which revealed increase of right hemidiaphragm and images compatible with intestinal loop in the lower third of this hemithorax. Right traumatic diaphragmatic hernia was diagnosed. This is an infrequent disease due to the shock-absorbing effect of the liver. He was medically treated and one hour later, the pain ceased. Hernia was reduced spontaneously, which was confirmed in the posterior chest x-ray. He was further operated on electively and the final result was favorable(AU)

Isolated traumatic giant diaphragmatic hernia mimicking a haemopneumothorax: A report of two cases.

We report two cases who presented with respiratory distress after trauma that were treated for a left-sided haemopneumothrax. These were finally diagnosed as giant diaphragmatic hernias. The diagnostic difficulties and complications arising out of a wrong diagnosis are discussed.

Hérnia diafragmática à direita por trauma contuso: uma revisão bibliográfica / Right diaphragmatic hernia due to blunt trauma: a literature review

As hérnias diafragmáticas são decorrentes principalmente de traumas contusos e são mais comuns à esquerda. Essa menor frequência à direita é explicada pela contenção e proteção do fígado ao hemidiafragma homolateral. Entretanto, apesar de as lesões à esquerda serem mais frequentes, aquelas situadas à direita associam-se a lesões mais graves e resultam em mais instabilidade hemodinâmica, o que gera elevada mortalidade no momento do trauma. Além disso, a hérnia diafragmática direita, pode permanecer assintomática por longo tempo, favorecendo a aparecimento de complicações como isquemia e ruptura das vísceras herniadas dentro do tórax. Assim é fundamental um diagnóstico precoce, a fim de se realizar o tratamento cirúrgico, uma vez que o diafragma não cicatriza espontaneamente. (AU)

The diaphragmatic hernias are mainly due to blunt trauma and are more common on the left. This lower frequency on the right side is explained by liver protection of the ipsilateral hemidiaphragm. However, despite the injuries are more frequent on the left, those situated on the right are associated with more severe injuries and result in more hemodynamic instability, which leads to high mortality at the time of trauma. Furthermore, the right diaphragmatic hernia can remain asymptomatic for long time, favoring the onset of complications such as ischemia and rupture of the herniated organs inside the chest. Therefore early diagnosis is fundamental in order to perform surgical treatment, since the diaphragm does not heal spontaneously. (AU)

Traumatic rupture of the right hemidiaphragm:diagnosis aided by computerized tomography and image reformation: a case report

Traumatic rupture of the diaphragm [TRD] poses a challenge to both radiologists and surgeons. They are uncommon and occur following blunt abdominal or lower thoracic trauma. The right side involvement is less common than the left side and is easily missed. Spiral computed tomography [Spiral CT] with image reformation is very useful in the diagnosis of TRD and in identifying associated injuries. Early diagnosis and repair reduces mortality and morbidity. We present the case of a 16 year old boy who was involved in a high speed traffic accident with blunt injury to his thorax and abdomen. He was referred from a peripheral hospital in Oman for further management at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital. A spiral CT scan of thorax and abdomen with image reformation helped in the early diagnosis and management of the traumatic rupture of his right hemidiaphragm

Traumatic diaphragmatic herniation.

Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia is rare in children. Left-sided Herniations are seen in 90%. The diagnosis is often delayed for months to years because of its rarity and overshadowing injuries. Chest/abdominal radiographs and, in particular cases, computed tomography and ultrasound improve the accuracy of diagnosis. We report two cases of traumatic diaphragmatic rupture in children. The history of trauma along with plain X-rays/barium study was diagnostic in both the cases.