Delayed diagnosis of traumatic diaphragmatic rupture with herniation of the liver: A case report

Abstract

Diaphragmatic rupture is a potentially life-threatening clinical situation. It occurs as a result of high-velocity blunt or penetrating injury to the abdomen and thorax. Acute traumatic rupture of the diaphragm may go undetected, and there is often a delay between the injury and diagnosis. Right-sided rupture is less common due to hepatic protection and increased strength of the right hemidiaphragm. We report the case of a 28-year-old man who was admitted with breathlessness to our hospital, 72 hours after trauma. Since clinical signs and symptoms were nonspecific, helical computed tomography was done, which revealed diaphragmatic rupture with hepatothorax. Emergency thoracotomy was done to repair diaphragmatic rent. The postoperative period was uneventful, and the patient was discharged three weeks later.