title: Bilateral Bochdalek hernias presenting as respiratory failure in an elderly patient.
abstract: Bochdalek hernia occurs from a congenital defect of the diaphragm, allowing the passage of abdominal structures into the thoracic cavity, limiting lung expansion and ventilatory function. Bochdalek hernia is common in neonates but rarely occur in adults; there are only 4 documented cases in the elderly population. We present a case of an 88-year-old woman with severe hypoxia and respiratory failure that required ventilatory support, in whom bilateral Bochdalek hernias progressed over the years and severely invaded the thoracic cavity, causing acute decompensation. This is a rare condition in adults but can cause substantial morbidity when the involvement of the thoracic cavity is severe.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Pulmonary Diseases, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA. ca2369@columbia.edu
authors.forename: Carlos L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Alviar
authors.forename: Juan P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Cordova
authors.forename: Aleksandr
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Korniyenko
authors.forename: Fahad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Javed
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tsukayama
authors.forename: Gopal
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Narayanswami
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006548:Hernia, Diaphragmatic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D065630:Hernias, Diaphragmatic, Congenital; D006801:Humans; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed