Non-traumatic diaphragmatic rupture with liver herniation due to endometriosis: A rare evolution of the disease requiring multidisciplinary management.

ABSTRACT

A 35 year old woman with chronic pelvic endometriosis suffered from right scapular pain. MRI imaging showed a right diaphragmatic rupture with liver herniation. Surgical procedure was performed by thoracotomy. The liver was put back into the abdomen, endometriosis was resected from the diaphragm, interrupted non absorbable suture of the diaphragm was performed and an absorbable mesh was placed. Endometriosis was confirmed on histological analysis of the resected diaphragm. To study this pathology, we performed a systematic review of the literature and found 12 similar cases of diaphragmatic rupture due to endometriosis. Right diaphragm is often involved and rupture is always located on the tendinous portion. Symptoms are mainly cyclic right scapular pain and cathamenial pneumothorax. MRI should be performed in case of suggestive symptoms and a systematic exploration of the diaphragm should be performed at laparoscopy for an early treatment of the lesions to prevent progression to rupture.