Left congenital diaphragmatic hernia, absent pericardium, and liver heterotopia: a case report and review

A case of a left congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), absent pericardium, and a hernial sac containing ectopic liver tissue is presented. This triplicate of defects is exceedingly rare with only 2 previous reports in the literature dating back to 1936. This case supports the evidence that CDH is the result of failure of the closure of the pleuroperitoneal canals by the growth of the posthepatic mesenchymal plate. Moreover, the role of the phrenic nerve as a mediator for both CDH and absent pericardium is discussed.