Bochodalek hernia in a young adult: report of a case

A Bochodalek hernia is rarely seen in adults. An 18-year-old man was referred to our institute with the chief complaint of a sudden onset of left subcostal pain, nausea, and vomiting. A radiograph and a computed tomographic scan of the chest revealed a Bochodalek hernia. Emergency surgery was thus performed. The herniated organs were put back into the peritoneal cavity and the hernial hilum was closed. The postoperative course was uneventful. A routine chest radiograph 1 month before had shown a slight elevation of the left hemidiaphragm and further examination using computed tomography suggested a Bochodalek hernia, but he had merely been followed up since there were no symptoms. As soon as a diagnosis is made, specific repairs should be carried out even if no symptoms are present, to prevent such complications as strangulation or perforation.