Posterolateral (Bochdalek's) diaphragmatic hernia in sisters

Abstract

Two siblings with identical left posterolateral diaphragmatic (Bochdalek's) hernias are described. To our knowledge, there is one earlier description of siblings in which the diaphragmatic defects have been defined as posterolateral. The observation of these two families with a defect that is usually sporadic raises the possibility of etiologic heterogeneity among posterolateral defects of the diaphragm. Although overall recurrence risk is probably small, prenatal diagnosis by ultrasound should be possible and may improve perinatal management in familial cases.