title: Traumatic diaphragmatic herniation presenting as a delayed tension faecopneumothorax.
abstract: This article reports an unusual case of delayed presentation of a tension faecopneumothorax after traumatic injury to the diaphragm 5 years previously. Three important clinical lessons are highlighted: (a) for suspected tension pneumothorax, if a considerable quantity of serous fluid is drained in addition to air, a communication with the peritoneal cavity should be considered; (b) spontaneous tension pneumothorax is an extremely rare condition and other causes should be kept in mind; and (c) in the presence of a tension pneumothorax and diaphragmatic hernia, the contents of the visceral sac may be completely reduced and the hernia may be masked.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham, Kent ME7 5NY, UK. jimmyramdass@gmail.com
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Ramdass
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kamal
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paice
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Andrews
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003106:Colon / Q000293:injuries*; D005243:Feces; D006549:Hernia, Diaphragmatic, Traumatic / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000150:complications