The Chilaiditi Syndrome : Another Greek Tragedy ? Case report and short review of literature.

The Chilaiditi syndrome is a rare disorder, characterized by a broad spectrum of (gastro-intestinal) symptoms due to an interposition of a segment of bowel between the liver and the diaphragm. This anatomical variation is diagnosed through abdominal x-ray and is known as the Chilaiditi sign. Since the syndrome can lead to severe complications, such as perforation, intestinal obstruction or bowel ischemia, awareness of this syndrome is essential for every general surgeon. Knowledge of predisposing factors is necessary to treat possible complications accordingly. Conservative -management often is sufficient. Surgical intervention is reserved for those who do not respond to conservative line of management or those with severe complications.

Síndrome de Chilaiditi / Chilaiditi´s syndrome

A interposição permanente ou temporária do cólon, intestino delgado ou estômago no espaço hepatodiafragmático é conhecido como sinal de Chilaiditi, sendo geralmente assintomático. É evidenciado normalmente em um exame radiológico de rotina. A sua incidência é de 0,025% nos exames radiológicos em todas as idades, aumentando levemente nos pacientes maiores de 60 anos, sendo mais comuns em homens do que em mulheres, com uma relação de 4:1. A associação do sinal de Chilaiditi com sintomas como dor abdominal, náuseas, volvo intestinal, dor retroesternal, sintomas respiratórios, vômitos, distensão abdominal, obstrução ou suboclusão intestinal caracteriza a síndrome de Chilaiditi. No presente estudo, apresentamos um novo caso do sinal de Chilaiditi observado ocasionalmente ao exame radiológico de abdome (AU)

The permanent or temporary interposition of the colon, small intestine or stomach in between the liver and the diaphragm is known as Chilaiditi's sign, usually being asymptomatic. The condition is usually diagnosed in routine X-rays. Its incidence is 0.025% in radiological scans in all age groups, with a slight increase in patients over 60. It is more common in males than females in a ratio of 4:1. The association of Chilaiditi's sign with symptoms of abdominal pain, nausea, intestinal volvus, retrosternal pain, respiratory symptoms, vomiting, abdominal distension, intestinal obstruction or sub-occlusion characterizes the Chilaiditi syndrome. Here we report the case of Chilaiditi's sign as detected in abdominal X-rays (AU)