Morgagni hernia: diagnosis with multidetector computed tomography and treatment

We aimed to retrospectively evaluate morbidity, mortality and treatment outcomes in 12 cases of Morgagni hernia diagnosed with multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and treated appropriately.

This is a retrospective study and data on the demographics, presenting symptoms, MDCT images, operative approach, morbidity and mortality were collected from hospital records.

Of 12 patients with a mean age of 60 years, ten were female. The diagnosis was made with MDCT before surgery. All hernias were unilateral and located in the right part of the thorax. The contents of the hernias were omentum and colon in the majority of the patients, and the contents of the hernia as diagnosed with CT was confirmed at surgery. Six patients had surgery. Of these, one had emergency surgery for hernia, two laparoscopic hernia repair, three transabdominal repair and one transthoracic repair.

MDCT is a good imaging technique to be used before surgery in that it is fast and non-invasive, helps to make an accurate diagnosis of Morgagni hernias and provides detailed information about the contents of the hernia and accompanying complications. Modern surgical techniques, including laparoscopy, help to achieve the repair of Morgagni hernias safely with short hospital stay and with little morbidity and mortality.