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. 2025 Nov 18;13(11):e71491.
doi: 10.1002/ccr3.71491. eCollection 2025 Nov.

Chilaiditi's Syndrome: An Unusual Cause of Acute Respiratory Distress

Prosper Adjei  1 , Kingsley Owusu Manu  1 , Paa Kwesi Asante Addison  1 , Emmanuel Ntow  1 , Bismark Kyeremeh  1 , Basit Tordia  1
Affiliations

Chilaiditi's Syndrome: An Unusual Cause of Acute Respiratory Distress

Prosper Adjei et al. Clin Case Rep. .

Abstract

Chilaiditi's syndrome is characterized by hepatodiaphragmatic interposition of the bowel, usually colon, with associated symptoms. Occasionally, affected individuals may experience acute respiratory distress and retrosternal pain which can mimic life-threatening conditions like pulmonary embolism and myocardial infarction. This case report underscores the need for clinicians to be aware of this rare syndrome as it is amenable to conservative treatment in most instances.

Keywords: Chilaiditi's sign; Chilaiditi's syndrome; respiratory distress; shortness of breath.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Resting 12‐lead ECG showing normal sinus rhythm with no ST‐segment or T wave changes.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Posteroanterior chest x‐ray showing elevation of the right hemidiaphragm (yellow arrow) and a large volume of air with haustral folds (red arrow) below the diaphragm.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
A repeat posteroanterior chest x‐ray showing complete resolution of the air under the right hemidiaphragm.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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