Late gastric incarceration 20 years after penetrating chest trauma.

ABSTRACT

The diagnosis of diaphragmatic injury in trauma patients is a challenge for surgeons. Misdiagnosis is common and can only be corrected when patients present with symptoms of diaphragmatic hernia. We report a rare case of delayed traumatic diaphragmatic hernia masquerading as empyema 20 years after lower chest penetrating trauma. The herniated stomach was found intraoperatively. Delayed traumatic diaphragmatic hernia should always be suspected in patients with trauma that may have occurred many years ago.