Recurrent Indigestion in a Young Adult

Abstract

Bochdalek hernias (BHs) arise due to congenital diaphragmatic defect and can result in gross displacement of abdominal tissues into the thorax. Although they are uncommon in occurrence, they usually present as serious respiratory distress in infants. In the adult population, they are asymptomatic and only detected incidentally. In this report, we present the case of a 26-year-old male who acutely presented with severe epigastric pain radiating to the back and deranged vital signs as a result of incorrect previous diagnoses. A large left diaphragmatic hernia containing his pancreatic tail, spleen, stomach and other intra-abdominal organs was confirmed by CT scan, together occupying a third of the hemithorax. Although not common, diagnostics of BHs should be considered in patients presenting with acute abdomen. A plain chest X-ray displaying diminished left diaphragmatic outline or signs of mediastinal shift should raise suspicion. Previous normal chest X-ray can be deceptive and does not rule out a diaphragmatic hernia. Herein, we also review the literature for previously reported acute presentation of 11 similar cases in adults and highlight the value of including BH as one of the differential diagnoses.

Case Report

A 26-year-old male presented with acute severe epigastric pain radiating to the back. After having seen various clinicians with a complaint of indigestion, both in the UK and in Poland, a definitive diagnosis had not been reached. The severe intermittent nature of indigestion had prompted his doctors to engage in a number of investigations, some of which included sonography and chest X-ray (fig. 1a). He was working as a lifeguard in London and had previously been a security guard in Poland. He did not have a history of trauma, did not drink alcohol and had no significant past medical history.

Fig. 1.

a Old plain chest X-ray (two years before presentation), which was essentially normal. b Chest X-ray at presentation. Mediastinal shift towards the right hemithorax, a vague left cardiophrenic angle and a raised left hemidiaphragm clearly demonstrate herniation through the left hemidiaphragm. c CT scan of the upper abdomen. Large posterolateral diaphragmatic hernia containing distended stomach, occupying the whole left hemithorax.

Over the course of two months, he had presented to the accident and emergency service on three occasions with abdominal pain and vomiting, one of which culminated in an investigation for possible renal calculi. This third occasion was associated with severe retching and vomiting. He appeared in distress and was septic: blood pressure 190/120 mm Hg, heart rate 160 beats/min and temperature 39.2°C. His epigastrium was tender and there were decreased breath sounds in the left lower zone. His blood tests revealed raised CRP (262 mg/l) and serum amylase (500 IU/l).

Herniation through the diaphragm and right mediastinal shift was clearly visible from chest X-ray (fig. 1b). Further CT imaging revealed a large posterolateral diaphragmatic hernia (Bochdalek's foramen) containing his pancreatic tail, spleen, distended stomach, small bowel and transverse colon (occupying a third of the left hemithorax) (fig. 1c). Endoscopy failed to negotiate pylorus and resulted in transient relief of symptoms. Continuing severe pain and respiratory compromise led to laparotomy: bleeding short gastric vessels, a necrotic first past of the duodenum and the fundus of the stomach was discovered. Duodenectomy (first part), partial gastrectomy (fundus), splenectomy, gastrojejunostomy and repair of the hernial defect (Proceed™ mesh) were performed. He remains asymptomatic after two years of follow-up.

Discussion

Bochdalek hernia (BH) is a congenital condition that is characterised by failure of the posterolateral part of the diaphragm to develop and form a complete barrier. It accounts for about 90% of diaphragmatic hernias [1], with a prevalence rate of around 1 in 3,000 live births [2]. It presents in the neonatal period and was first described in 1848 by Vincent Alexander Bochdalek [3]. This type of diaphragmatic hernia most commonly occurs on the left side of the chest as the closure of the pleuroperitoneal canal is completed later on this side [4].

The clinical features of congenital diaphragmatic hernias include severe respiratory distress, cyanosis, scaphoid abdomen, decreased or diminished breath sounds (on the same side of the defect), displaced heart sounds (away from the defect) and presence of bowel sounds in the chest. An upright thoracic X-ray image may show signs of bowel gas in the thorax, diminished diaphragmatic outline and mediastinal shift [5]. Half of the patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernias are detected during the prenatal period either by ultrasound or MRI investigation.

Over one hundred instances of BH have been reported in adults in the medical literature [6]. Undiscovered cases are usually asymptomatic in adults and only detected incidentally [7] with a prevalence rate ranging between 0.17 and 12.7% [8, 9]. Perhaps the widespread use of multi-detector row computed tomography has contributed to an increased rate of diagnoses [7]. In a screening study conducted on a large cohort of healthy adult population (mean age 62.8 years), the prevalence of posterior transdiaphragmatic hernia was found to be 12.7% (396 individuals out of 3,107). All of the subjects were asymptomatic [8]. In another retrospective study based on abdominal CT reports of 13,138 hospital inpatients, the reported prevalence rate was 0.17% (mean age 66.6 years) for incidental BH [9]. The analysis of similar case reports or larger studies does not indicate a particular pattern of relationship between incidental hernia and BMI, gender or age of patients [7].

Misdiagnosis is common for BH, reported to be 38% by Thomas and Kapur [10]. It is very crucial that it is diagnosed early in order to avoid unnecessary interventions and complications such as strangulation of the abdominal viscera. Up to date, 173 patients with this condition have been reported in the literature. A recent review by Brown et al. demonstrates that trends such as an inciting event, which underlie an increase in intra-abdominal pressure, may be found in as many as 25% of patients prior to acute presentation [11]. Gastrointestinal disturbance and presence of bowel sounds in association with diminished breath sounds in a single hemithorax are some of the suggestive clinical signs [12]. Chest or abdominal pain seem to be the most frequently presenting complaints reported in 69% of patients [11]. A literature review of 173 cases reported by Brown et al. showed that in 78% of patients the hernia was located on the left side of the chest [11].

During our literature search, we came across 11 patients who also presented acutely and had symptoms for less than a month (table 1). In a majority of patients, gastrointestinal symptoms predominated. Yet again, this case report signifies the importance of diagnostic consideration of BH in an adult patient presenting with acute gastrointestinal symptoms, despite the presence of unusual septic features.

Table 1.

Previous reports of BH presenting in an acute setting

First author	Demographics (n/age/sex)	Presenting complaint	Complications	Radiology	Management	Follow-up
Kavanagh [13]	1/76/M	dyspnoea, abdominal distension, constipation	strangulated transverse colon	CXR, CT	laparotomy to resect necrosed segment of the colon	none
Lucisano [14]	1/45/F	4-day history of epigastric pain	incomplete intestinal malrotation and volvulus of right colon	CXR, CT, barium enema	right hemicolectomy	none
Harrington [15]	1/35/F	1-day history of upper abdominal pain and vomiting	acute pancreatitis, ascites, gastric volvulus, left pleural effusion and collapsed lung	CXR, CT	endoscopie deflation of gastric volvulus; left thoracolaparotomy	none
Palanivelu [16]	1/23/F	1-month duration of vomiting, epigastric pain, oliguria and dyspnoea	gastric volvulus	CXR, CT, abdominal ultrasound	laparoscopy	none
Dalton [17]	1/43/M	abdominal pain and dyspnoea	gas-filled stomach	CXR	laparotomy	none
Losanoff [18]	1/29/M	periumbilical pain associated with nausea and vomiting		CT	emergency laparotomy	after 2 months the patient is well and asymptomatic
Kanazawa [19]	1/63/F	dyspnoea and abdominal pain	strangulated colon and right kidney	CXR, CT	thoracolaparotomy
Harinath [20]	1/26/F	1-day duration of vomiting, epigastric and left upper abdominal pain	gastric volvulus	CXR, CT	laporoscopy	symptom-free at 7 months
Habib [21]	3/27, 38, 88/unknown	small bowel obstruction; epigastric pain and gastric obstruction; respiratory failure and gastric obstruction		CXR, CT, barium meal; CT, barium enema; CXR, CT	laparotomy (n = 2); thoracotomy (n = l)	one postoperative death
Seidenverg [22]	1/20/F	left chest pain, nausea and vomiting		CXR, roent-genographic visualisation of nasogastric tube	laparotomy	well at 12 months

Various imaging modalities have been used. Computed tomography is able to provide information on the anatomical position of the organs and remains the best preoperative investigation in an emergency setting. A plain X-ray displaying diminished left diaphragmatic outline, signs of mass pressure or mediastinal shift should raise suspicion [12]. A previous normal chest X-ray does not rule out a diaphragmatic hernia, as the defect may be sealed up by the spleen or by the presence of a confining sac [10].

Conclusion

Diaphragmatic hernias should be considered in patients presenting with an acute abdomen and at the very least a thorough auscultation over the chest and a chest X-ray should be carried out. A previous normal chest X-ray does not rule out a diaphragmatic hernia, as the defect may be sealed up by the spleen or by the presence of a confining sac. Gastrointestinal symptoms in combination with sepsis should not exclude the possibility of BH. Gastrointestinal disturbances with left lung signs should prompt suspicion of this condition.

Disclosure Statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.