Radiol Case Rep

. 2021 Jul 6;16(9):2542-2545. doi: 10.1016/j.radcr.2021.06.024. eCollection 2021 Sep. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34276850/

Rare late-presentation congenital diaphragmatic hernia mimicking a tension pneumothorax

Muhammad Zahid Abdul Muien ¹, Kohila Jeyaprahasam ², Thiagu Krisnan ², Chiak Yot Ng ¹, Yong Guang Teh ^1 2Affiliations expand

• PMID: 34276850
• PMCID: PMC8264534
• DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2021.06.024

Free PMC article

Abstract

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) is due to a defect in the diaphragm and is usually detected soon after birth. However, in rare cases, asymptomatic CDHs can be missed and present later in life. Late-presentation CDH can be misdiagnosed as tension pneumothorax leading to iatrogenic complications. We report a case of a 10-year-old boy who presented with non-specific symptoms of vomiting and occasional breathlessness, but was subsequently diagnosed as late-presentation CDH. This case highlights the role of imaging in the diagnosis and management of late-presenting CDH. The role of CT imaging as an invaluable tool to further evaluate equivocal radiographic findings in CDH is discussed.

Keywords: CT; Chest radiograph; Congenital diaphragmatic hernia; Pneumothorax.

© 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of University of Washington.