Description
Eventration of the diaphragm is an abnormal elevation of an intact diaphragm. There are two distinct aetiological types of eventration: congenital and acquired. The acquired diaphragmatic eventration is rarely seen in adults and the most common aetiological type for acquired disease is cardiac surgery.1 It may be asymptomatic or cause recurrent infections by changing pulmonary inflation. Eventration of the diaphragm should be considered as a risk factor for tension pneumothorax.2 Unilateral diaphragm eventration is a frequent event in which more than half of the cases are diagnosed incidentally. Dyspnoea during exercises is the most common symptom. The vital capacity is reduced by approximately 25% and the total lung capacity by approximately 15% by the unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis.3 We present a case of a diaphragmatic eventration in an adult patient.
A 64-year-old man was referred to our emergency unit with a sudden onset of severe dyspnoea after a strong cough. His medical and family histories were unremarkable. Thorax CT revealed left diaphragmatic elevation, dilated segment of colon and replacement of spleen and stomach to the subdiaphragmatic area (figures 1–3). Pneumonic infiltration was also seen. We consider that acute dyspnoea developed because of restriction caused by eventration and existing pulmonary inflammation. Diagnostic laparoscopy was performed and the diagnosis of diaphragmatic eventration was made.
Figure 1.
CT scanogram image showing a raised left hemidiaphragm.
Figure 2.
Axial CT image showing the stomach and intestinal loops displaced into the left thoracic cavity.
Figure 3.
Reformatted CT image confirms diaphragmatic eventration.
Diaphragmatic pathologies must be considered in patients referring to emergency services with a sudden onset of dyspnoea. CT is important for the diagnosis.
Learning point.
Diaphragmatic pathologies must be considered in patients referring to emergency services with a sudden onset of dyspnoea. CT is important for the diagnosis.
Footnotes
Competing interests: None.
Patient consent: Obtained.
Provenance and peer review: Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.
References
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