Oesophageal hiatal hernia-induced hydropneumothorax

The patient presented with acute and constant abdominal pain. He had had a lobectomy of the left lung three months before. On the 4th day in hospital the pain increased and he went into temporary shock. The next day a hydropneumothorax and incarcerated stomach were revealed by chest X-ray and computed tomography. He was transferred to the University Hospital immediately and underwent an operation. The diagnosis was an incarcerated para-oesophageal hernia with hydropneumothorax and perforation of the stomach. As a para-oesophageal hernia may be fatal, it is important to diagnose and treat it early.