Thoracic Gut Entrapment Presenting As Intractable Hypoxia: A Case Report of Chilaiditi Syndrome

Abstract

We present a rare case of a patient who had intractable hypoxia and was found to have Chilaiditi syndrome. The hypoxia and respiratory symptoms resolved after bowel decompression and relief of the mass effect of the entrapped gut in the thorax. Chilaiditi sign is the interposition of the colon between the liver and diaphragm. Colonic interposition is a common asymptomatic radiological finding, in Chilaiditi syndrome, patients experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, constipation, respiratory distress, and chest pain.