Diaphragmatic rupture presenting with strangulated hernia: Report of two cases

Isaac Assam Udo, Kingsley U Umeh

African Journal of Trauma 2016 5(1):23-26

Traumatic rupture of the diaphragm can complicate blunt abdominal trauma. It is rare in our practice, and its diagnosis may be delayed if the index of suspicion is low among emergency room physicians. Imaging studies can easily confirm the diagnosis of diaphragmatic rupture. Herniation of organs and viscera through the diaphragmatic defect occurs commonly, and same may obstruct or strangulate and worsen the outcome. We present two adults with complaints of severe acute abdominal pain and a history of high-speed vehicular trauma whose definitive diagnoses were delayed. The presence of air-fluid levels in the left hemithorax on a chest radiogram and a history of blunt abdominal injury made us arrive at the diagnosis of intestinal obstruction secondary to traumatic diaphragmatic hernia.

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