Delayed diagnosis of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia during pregnancy

We present a case of delay in diagnosis of diaphragmatic rupture and herniation in a pregnant 25-year-old woman. The diaphragmatic rupture was secondary to trauma sustained five months prior to presentation. Subsequent to her accident, she was provided medical care on multiple occasions for symptoms of intractable nausea, vomiting, and weight loss that were probably related to an expanding uterus and diaphragmatic herniation of abdominal contents. At the time she presented to us the herniation had progressed and she was experiencing severe respiratory difficulty. A nasogastric tube was placed for diagnosis and decompression. A chest radiograph provided the diagnosis of herniation of gastrointestinal contents through the left hemidiaphragm. A healthy 5-lb boy was delivered vaginally and subsequently a left thoracotomy was performed for decompression and repair of the diaphragm. The patient's hospital course after hernia repair was uneventful.