[Bochdalek's hernia in a mentally retarded adolescent]

Bochdalek hernia is a congenital defect of the lateral posterior or vertebral lumbar region on the left side of diaphragm, caused by a foramen on it, through which viscera displaced from abdomen to pleural cavity. This is a pathology frequently observed in just born babies but rarely found in teenagers or adults. In world medical history only 100 cases in adults have been reported. We present a case of a 16 years old male patient with moderate mental retard who suddenly suffered from convulsions; this was the second time it happened, because the first time (3 months ago) he showed the same clinical picture but with no further complications. Anticonvulsives were administered to the patient in the general hospital E.R., but immediately after that, he had uncontrollable and frequent nausea, vomits and regurgitation when eating. He also showed anxiety, desperation and even aggressiveness. He was also very thirsty. Three days later the patient was transferred to the gastroenterology unit where we observed the symptoms above mentioned. He also presented sialorrhea. After many difficulties to find the diagnosis due to the patient's problems to communicate even with his relatives help, we decided to perform a surgery. Endoscopy showed total occlusion of the gastric-esophagus connection and an abdomen and thorax X-r showed an abnormal image with hydro aerial level in nearly all left hemithorax. The surgical findings showed total displacement of stomach, spleen, part of the small intestine, ascending colon, cecum, appendix and proximal part of transverse colon to the left hemithorax. Surgical corrections were performed. The clinical case resolved satisfactorily. The late age of the patient, type and treatment are discussed.