Delayed herniation of intra-abdominal contents after blunt right-sided diaphragm rupture

Abstract

Right diaphragmatic hernia is a rare injury (0.25%-1%) after blunt abdominal trauma. The diagnosis may be delayed and achieved years after the trauma. We currently report a case of a 48-year-old man who presented to the emergency department at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan, demonstrating signs of herniation of the right diaphragm. The herniation was confirmed using a chest radiograph. The patient reported falling 3 years before the current evaluation and was symptom-free before arrival in the emergency department. The diagnosis was further confirmed through thoracoabdominal computed tomography. The diaphragmatic hernia was subsequently repaired via abdominal approach. For patients with a history of prior thoracoabdominal trauma with complaints of new abdominal pain, a delayed diaphragmatic hernia should be considered.