title: [Right-sided rupture of the diaphragm diagnosed by CT].
abstract: The diagnosis of rupture of the hemidiaphragm is difficult but important. Straight x-ray of the thorax is usually pathological but is not always diagnostic. After straight x-ray, the literature recommends ultrasound as a diagnostic method but this may, however, cause problems on account of the intercostal approach. Before the introduction of ultrasound, pneumoperitoneum would have been a conclusive but potentially dangerous method. In the case reported here, a relevant thoracic trauma more than 20 years ago caused recurrent right-sided pneumonia in a man aged 41 years. Straight x-ray of the thorax showed apparent elevation of the right hemi-diaphragm and ultrasound did not contribute towards convincing distinction between rupture and elevation. CT was performed and depicted rupture of the right hemidiaphragm. CT is recommended as a non-invasive and accurate diagnostic method in cases where the ultrasonic findings are inconclusive.
authors.affiliation: Røntgenafdelingen, Hvidovre Hospital, København.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Monrad
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Brøns
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis; D012421:Rupture / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed