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Congenital diaphragmatic hernia: unusual presentation in an adult

Kareem Bedeir1, Wael Hassanein

  • 1Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States. kareembedeir@hotmail.com

The Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon
|March 3, 2012
PubMed

Insights

This case report details a rare instance of a mentally intact adult with foreign body ingestion leading to intestinal herniation into the chest. It highlights an unusual presentation of congenital diaphragmatic hernia in an adult.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Thoracic Surgery
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Congenital abnormalities affect up to 3% of live births, with diaphragmatic involvement being exceptionally rare (<0.003%).
  • Congenital diaphragmatic hernias are typically diagnosed in infancy; late diagnosis in asymptomatic adults is uncommon.
  • Foreign body ingestion is predominantly seen in pediatric populations; adult cases are rare and often associated with cognitive impairment.

Observation:

  • A 26-year-old, mentally intact male presented with foreign body ingestion.
  • Radiographic imaging revealed the foreign body within the patient's intestines.
  • Computed tomography demonstrated intestinal herniation into the left thoracic cavity.

Findings:

  • The patient exhibited a rare combination of late-diagnosed congenital diaphragmatic hernia and foreign body ingestion.
  • Intestinal herniation into the chest was confirmed via advanced imaging modalities.
  • This case represents a unique clinical scenario not previously documented in medical literature.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering rare diagnoses in adult patients with unusual presentations.
  • It highlights the diagnostic utility of chest radiography and CT scans in identifying complex gastrointestinal and thoracic abnormalities.
  • Further research may be warranted to understand the long-term implications and management strategies for such rare adult congenital diaphragmatic hernia cases.

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