Blunt Diaphragmatic Injuries: Pericardial Ruptures

Blunt traumatic diaphragmatic injuries (BTDIs) can be misdiagnosed. Careful evaluation of associated injuries in BTDI is important. In this study, we evaluated treatment options and difficulties in the diagnosis of patients with BTDI. We evaluated ten patients retrospectively with BTDI admitted to our departments, between January 2004 and 2015. Age, gender, trauma type, symptoms, radiological findings, diagnosis time, location and grade of the diaphragmatic injury, surgical type of repair, associated injuries and pericardial rupture, and morbidity and mortality rates were recorded. The mean age of the patients was 46.7 years, and all were males. Ninety percent of BTDI was left sided, and 10 % was on the right side. The diagnosis was confirmed with chest radiograph in 50 % and computed tomography in 70 %. Radiological examination revealed hemothorax in 80 %, the loss of diaphragmatic shadow in 60 %, and visceral organ herniation to the thorax in 60 %. Multiple organ injuries were present in 90 % of cases. Pericardial rupture seen in 30 % was remarkable. Early surgery was performed for eight patients and late surgery for two patients. There were six patients with grade 4 or 5 central diaphragmatic injuries (CDIs). Multiorgan injury was present in all patients developing acute CDI. Multiple organ injury is much higher in patients with severe acute blunt trauma with CDI. Pericardial rupture rate is high in cases with acute BTDI and CDI. Proper diagnosis and early surgical management reduce morbidity and mortality.