Viscerohepatodiaphragmatic interposition (Chilaiditi's syndrome) in a child.

ABSTRACT

Viscerohepatodiaphragmatic interposition or Chilaiditi's syndrome is a rare congenital anomaly characterised by subphrenic displacement of the intestine resulting from a congenital anomaly of the hepatic ligaments. A six-year-old asymptomatic girl was screened for tuberculosis as her father was suffering from sputum-positive pulmonary tuberculosis. The chest radiograph showed normal lung fields, but a gaseous shadow was seen beneath the right dome of the diaphragm, which was confirmed, to be a case of Chilaiditi's syndrome on abdominal radiographs and ultrosonography. Although initially thought to be a benign condition, Chilaiditi's syndrome has been cited to be an important cause of acute abdomen. It is, therefore, important that the clinicians are aware of the condition when treating such a child.