Incidental Finding of Right-Sided Idiopathic Spontaneous Acquired Diaphragmatic Hernia

Spontaneous acquired diaphragmatic hernia is a rare finding which occurs in the absence of any trauma or surgery. Here, we present the case of an 83-year-old male who presented to the outpatient department complaining of nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain and sensation of fullness, loss of appetite, and occasional episodes of constipation, with no history of trauma or surgery. Clinical examination revealed no specific cause. A clinical diagnosis of cholelithiasis was initially suspected and confirmed by an ultrasound of the abdomen. However, considering the worsening of symptoms, a computed tomography scan revealed an incidental right-sided spontaneous diaphragmatic hernia. A subsequent laparoscopic surgery for cholecystectomy and the correction of the right-sided defect in the diaphragm was performed. spontaneous acquired diaphragmatic hernia occurring secondary to a defect on the right side of the diaphragm without any history of trauma or surgery is an extraordinary and infrequent radiological finding. Considering the challenging clinical diagnosis of such hernias, clinicians should be vigilant when patients exhibit worsening symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal obstruction with or without respiratory and cardiac complications. The surgical management of such hernias is effective and secure and usually requires either an abdominal or thoracic approach and a combination of both accesses in some cases.