Massive ipsilateral pleural effusion caused by transdiaphragmatic intercostal hernia.
Transdiaphragmatic intercostal hernia (TDIH) is a rare consequence from blunt chest-abdominal injury. The diagnosis of TDIH is often delayed. We report a patient who had a history of left-sided upper abdominal blunt injury 2 months before admission presented with a newly developed, massive pleural effusion and clinical manifestations of intestinal obstruction. A multidetector-row computed tomography confirmed the diagnosis of traumatic diaphragm rupture and TDIH. He underwent thoracotomy with reduction of herniated viscera and repair of the diaphragm and chest wall. He was discharged uneventfully and remained well on follow-up at 2 months.
Wu
Young-Shun
YS
Department of Emergency Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei 114, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Lin
Yen-Yue
YY
Hsu
Chin-Wang
CW
Chu
Shi-Jye
SJ
Tsai
Shih-Hung
SH
D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D000368:Aged; D006549:Hernia, Diaphragmatic, Traumatic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography