Traumatic intrapericardial diaphragmatic hernia: case report and literature review

A traumatic rupture of the diaphragm, with herniation of the abdominal viscera into the thoracic cavity, is relatively rare, being observed in approximately 3-7% of all abdominal or thoracic traumas [1]. Herniation into the pericardium is very rare [2]. We have reviewed the post-traumatic intrapericardial diaphragmatic hernias (TIPDH) published in the world literature within our reach and, as it was already stated in the review carried out by Van Loenhout et al. [3] in 1986, approximately one post-traumatic intrapericardial hernia is reported every year. The patient that we present makes case 82 of those published until October of 1999.