Delayed presentation of traumatic rupture of the diaphragm.
Ruptured diaphragm as a result of blunt trauma can present acutely or late in the disease, process. Late presentation is often a result of herniation of abdominal contents into the thorax. Patients may present with nonspecific symptoms, and may complain of chest pain, abdominal pain, dyspnea, tachypnea, or cough. Clinicians must have a high index of suspicion for prompt diagnosis. Diagnostic tools include chest radiograph, CT scan, and MRI. The treatment for rupture of the diaphragm is surgical. The authors report a case of traumatic rupture of the diaphragm presenting 20 years after an automobile accident with blunt trauma to the abdomen.
St. Anthony Hospital.
Garrick L
GL
Shreck
Thomas W
TW
Toalson
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000293:injuries*; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012421:Rupture / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery