Sonography of the inverted right hemidiaphragm

Abstract

Inversion of the left hemidiaphragm has been reported to occur in association with left pleural effusion. However, inversion of the right hemidiaphragm has not been reported previously. Previous authors contend that inversion of right hemidiaphragm does not occur because of the support provided by the liver. We report three patients with right pleural effusion causing inversion of the right hemidiaphragm. The clinical importance and the usefulness of sonography in the diagnosis of diaphragmatic inversion are discussed.