Eventration of right diaphragm with an intrathoracic ectopic kidney: A case report

Congenital diaphragmatic eventration is characterized by the elevation of the diaphragm, causing a protrusion of the intraabdominal viscera into the affected hemithorax and resulting in respiratory distress. Diaphragmatic eventration with an intrathoracic ectopic kidney is a very rare disorder with the incidence of 0.25% of all ectopias.

A 16-day-old male presented with chief complaint of respiratory distress. His plain chest X-ray showed intestinal gases in the right diaphragm and elevation of the right diaphragm. Intraoperative findings revealed elevation of the right diaphragmatic dome and visceral displacement, including the ileum, transverse colon, and right lobe of the liver. Subsequently, hemidiaphragm plication was conducted. Two weeks after surgery, the patient suffered from respiratory distress again. Computed tomography (CT) scanning revealed right diaphragmatic elevation and an ectopic kidney inside the right hemithorax. During the second operation, there were no longer elevation of the right diaphragmatic dome nor any other organ displacement. Moreover, we decided to let the intrathoracic kidney remain in place. The outcome was good during the postoperative period and six months after surgery.

Eventration of diaphragm with an intrathoracic ectopic kidney should be considered as a differential diagnosis in neonate patients with respiratory distress accompanied by a thoracic mass.

Congenital diaphragmatic eventration with an intrathoracic ectopic kidney is a very rare disorder, requiring a personalized surgical repair to achieve a good outcome. CT scanning may help confirm the diagnosis, particularly to define the dome elevation and the intrathoracic organ precisely.