title: Tension gastrothorax in children: introducing a management algorithm.
abstract: Tension gastrothorax is a life-threatening condition and presents dramatically. It develops when the stomach herniates through a diaphragmatic defect into the thorax and distends with gas and/or fluid causing mediastinal shift. It is commonly misdiagnosed as tension pneumothorax which results in significant morbidity and mortality. In this article we report our experience of three cases with a spectrum of aetiology and a comprehensive literature review of tension gastrothorax in children. We propose an algorithm for the management of tension gastrothorax.
authors.affiliation: Core Surgical Trainee, London Deanery, London, UK.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Dean
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rex
authors.forename: Nada
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sudhakaran
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Okoye
authors.forename: Zahid
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mukhtar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000465:Algorithms; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006548:Hernia, Diaphragmatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008482:Mediastinum; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia; Emergency management; Iatrogenic diaphragmatic hernia; Respiratory distress; Tension gastrothorax; Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia