title: Portal hypertension and hypersplenism in a patient with a Bochdalek hernia: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A congenital diaphragmatic hernia (Bochdalek's hernia) rarely presents in adulthood.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present the case of a 21-year-old woman with thrombocytopenia secondary to hypersplenism due to left-sided (sinistral) portal hypertension. This portal hypertension was caused by strangulation of the spleen within a Bochdalek's hernia. Subacute gastric volvulus compounded by portal hypertensive gastropathy resulted in her presentation with acute haematemesis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Congenital diaphragmatic hernias may present in the adult. Their presentation is variable, and they may produce life-threatening complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, BT12 6BA, Northern Ireland, UK. rpg.kennedy@btinternet.com
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Donaghy
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McManus
authors.forename: W D B
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Clements
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006548:Hernia, Diaphragmatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D006971:Hypersplenism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery