title: Morgagni hernia: an unexpected cause of respiratory complaints and a chest mass.
abstract: Morgagni hernia (MH) is the least common type of congenital diaphragmatic hernias. Although its course is often asymptomatic, it may be associated with various respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. We describe 7 children with MH during a 5-year period in three pediatric centers in Turkey. All children had acute or chronic respiratory symptoms; cough was the most frequent. The diagnosis was made by posterior-anterior (PA) and lateral chest X-rays. The PA chest X-rays showed a homogenous mass in 2 and a gas-filled cystic image in 3 children in the right cardiophrenic angle. A retrocardiac homogeneous density in one child, and bilateral consolidation in lower lung areas in another child were also seen. All lateral chest X-rays showed gas-filled bowel loops above the diaphragm. The diagnosis was confirmed by barium-contrast radiograph. Four patients had five additional anomalies, i.e., ventricular septal defect, right inguinal hernia, congenital hip dislocation, pectus carinatum, and obstruction of the uretero-pelvic junction. All of the hernias were repaired by an abdominal approach. There were no complications or recurrences during follow-up. In conclusion, MH should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cases of long-standing respiratory symptoms and/or when an unexplained radiological image, especially on the right cardiophrenic area, is present.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Inönü University, Turgut Ozal Medical Center, Malatya, Turkey. hasoylu@hotmail.com
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Soylu
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Koltuksuz
authors.forename: N O
authors.initials: NO
authors.lastname: Kutlu
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sarihan
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sen
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ustün
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baki
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sönmezgöz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dogrul
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akinci
mesh_terms: D017609:Barium Compounds; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006548:Hernia, Diaphragmatic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D065630:Hernias, Diaphragmatic, Congenital; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D014421:Turkey
chemical_list: D017609:Barium Compounds