A rare complication of pediatric liver transplantation: Post-transplant diaphragmatic hernia.

AIM: Acquired post-transplant diaphragmatic hernia (PTDH) is a rare complication of liver transplantation (LT) in children. We aimed to present our experience in PTDH, and a possible causative background is discussed. METHODS: Medical records of patients who had undergone diaphragmatic repair following LT between 2015 and 2023 were reviewed. Demographic information, details of primary diseases necessitating LT, transplantation techniques, and clinical findings associated with PTDH were evaluated. RESULTS: There were seven patients with PTDH. Median age at transplantation was 69 (range: 9-200) months. Five patients received a left lateral sector, one patient had a right lobe, and one had a left lobe graft. Time between LT and PTDH was 9 (2-123) months. One patient who was diagnosed in the postoperative 10th year was asymptomatic. Respiratory distress and abdominal pain were the main symptoms among all. All patients underwent laparotomy, and primary repair was performed in six patients, and one patient required mesh repair because of a large defect. Small intestine herniated in most cases. There were two complicated cases with perforation of the stomach and colonic volvulus. There is no recurrence or long-term complications for the median 60 (20-119) month follow-up period. CONCLUSION: PTDH is a rare but serious complication. Majority of symptomatic cases present within the first postoperative year, whereas some late-presenting cases may not be symptomatic. Inadvertent injury to the inferior phrenic vasculatures due to excessive use of cauterization for control of hemostasis may be a plausible explanation in those cases.

Validación de la ecografía Point-of-Care para el diagnóstico de hernia diafragmática: a propósito de un caso / Validation of Point-of-Care ultrasound in the diagnosis of a diaphragmatic hernia

La ecografía Point-of-Care (POCUS) es una herramienta sensible y específica para diagnosticar de manera precoz la patología del diafragma en pacientes críticos. Presentamos un caso clínico de un paciente con antecedentes de hernia diafragmática iatrogénica que ingresó en la unidad de reanimación tras una laparotomía exploradora de emergencia. Aprovechando el diagnóstico conocido de hernia diafragmática, describimos los signos clínicos que debemos encontrar en la evaluación POCUS para establecer el diagnóstico de hernia diafragmática: 1)fracción de acortamiento diafragmático normal bilateral; 2)excursión diafragmática reducida, y 3)posición cefálica de la cúpula diafragmática 4)mayor en supino que en sedestación. Igualmente, proponemos una sistemática de exploración ecográfica del diafragma y una clasificación diferencial de la disfunción diafragmática evaluada mediante POCUS en función de la correcta integridad y el buen funcionamiento del músculo periférico y del tendón central diafragmáticos en el paciente crítico.(AU)

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a sensitive, specific tool for early diagnosis of diaphragm pathology in critically ill patients. We report the case of a patient with a history of iatrogenic diaphragmatic hernia who was admitted to the Resuscitation Unit after an emergency exploratory laparotomy. As the diagnosis of diaphragmatic hernia had already been confirmed, we determined the POCUS features that establish the diagnosis of diaphragmatic hernia: (1)normal bilateral diaphragmatic shortening fraction; (2)decreased diaphragmatic excursion, and (3)cephalic position of the diaphragmatic dome (4)greater in supine than in sitting position. We also outline a systematic ultrasound examination of the diaphragm and a POCUS-based differential classification of diaphragmatic dysfunction based on the functional integrity of the peripheral muscle and central diaphragmatic tendon in critically ill patients.(AU)

Diaphragmatic hernia after radiofrequency ablation of liver metastases: a case report and review of the literature.

A diaphragmatic hernia is the protrusion of abdominal tissues into the thoracic cavity secondary to a defect in the diaphragm. Reviewing the literature, we found only 44 references to diaphragmatic hernia secondary to percutaneous radiofrequency treatment. The vast majority of these cases were secondary to the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in segments V and VIII. Nevertheless, to date, this is the first reported case of diaphragmatic hernia after radiofrequency ablation of a liver metastasis from colorectal cancer. Complications secondary to diaphragmatic hernias are very diverse. The principal risk factor for complications is the contents of the hernia; when small bowel or colon segments protrude in the thoracic cavity, they can become incarcerated. Asymptomatic cases have also been reported in which the diaphragmatic hernia was discovered during follow-up. The pathophysiological mechanism is not totally clear, but it is thought that these diaphragmatic hernias might be caused by locoregional thermal damage. Given that most communications correspond to asymptomatic and/or treated cases, it is likely that the incidence is underestimated. However, due to the advent of percutaneous treatments, this complication might be reported more often in the future. Most cases are treated with primary herniorrhaphy, done with a laparoscopic or open approach at the surgeon's discretion; no evidence supports the use of one approach over the other. Nevertheless, it seems clear that surgery is the only definitive treatment, as well as the treatment of choice if complications develop. However, in asymptomatic patients in whom a diaphragmatic hernia is discovered in follow-up imaging studies, management should probably be guided by the patient's overall condition, taking into account the potential risks of complications (contents, diameter of the opening into the thoracic cavity …).

Risk factors associated with xerostomia and reduced salivary flow in hypertensive patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors associated with xerostomia and hyposalivation in a group of hypertensive patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Hypertensive patients belonged to two healthcare centers were included. Xerostomia was assessed by asking a question and using the Xerostomia Inventory. Unstimulated salivary flow was collected. Different epidemiological variables were analyzed such as age, sex, habits, diseases, drugs, and blood pressure. RESULTS: 221 individuals were included. Xerostomia was reported in 51.13% of patients. Patients with xerostomia suffered more from osteoarthritis and diaphragmatic hernia. These patients took more anticoagulants (acenocoumarol), antiarrhythmics (amiodarone), analgesics (paracetamol) and epilepsy drugs (pregabalin) and less platelet aggregation inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (losartan). Unstimulated flow was reduced in 37.56% of patients. Patients suffering hyposalivation presented more diseases such as anxiety, infectious or parasitic diseases, hepatitis C, diaphragmatic hernia, and osteoarthritis. These patients took more repaglinide, thiazides, anti-inflammatories, anti-rheumatics, glucosamine, diazepam, and selective beta-2-adrenoreceptor agonists and less combinations of candesartan and diuretics. CONCLUSIONS: Xerostomia and hyposalivation are frequent in hypertensive patients. It is advisable to take into consideration the comorbidities and the drugs they receive, since they can increase the risk of these salivary disorders.

Diaphragmatic Hernia Post Liver Transplant With Thrombosis of the Hepatic Artery Due to Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome: A Case Report.

Acquired diaphragmatic hernia (ADH) is a rare complication after liver surgery in adult and pediatric patients. In the literature, a few low case series have been reported. Its incidence is estimated to be between 0.74% and 2.9%. Main descriptions of ADH concern liver resection for tumors, living donor hepatic donation in adult patients, and partial liver graft transplant in children [1,2]. We encountered a rare case of ADH in the postoperative time of a liver transplant with thrombosis of hepatic artery due to median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS). The patient was a 65-year-old woman diagnosed with symptomatic hepatorenal polycystic disease who underwent a liver transplant with an isogroup graft from a cardiac-dead donor. During the first postoperative day, the rutinary color Doppler ultrasonography showed absent artery hepatic flow, and angiography suggested thrombosis of the hepatic artery (HA). With these findings, exploratory laparotomy was done. We performed thrombectomy and liberation of the celiac artery from the median arcuate ligament by dividing its fibers. At discharge, the liver function was normal, and Doppler showed good blood flow in the HA. At fourth postoperative month, she presented in the urgency unit with upper abdominal pain and vomiting. Radiologic and endoscopic evaluation revealed an incarcerated diaphragmatic hernia and signs of gastric ischemia. After emergency laparotomy and evaluation of the left hemithorax, we performed hernial sac reduction with recovery of gastric hypoperfusion. The diaphragmatic hernia was repaired. Diaphragmatic hernia is a rarely reported complication of liver transplant and should be considered a potential late complication [1].

Diaphragmatic hernia after radiofrequency ablation of liver tumor case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Radiofrequency ablation is an effective management modality for irresectable primary and secondary liver tumors. Some serious complications have been reported including diaphragmatic hernia. Diaphragmatic hernia is the protrusion of abdominal viscera into the thoracic cavity through a diaphragmatic defect and usually classified into congenital and acquired. After RFA, diaphragmatic hernia is a rarely-reported complication. CASE REPORT: A 62-year-old male patient, known to have liver cirrhosis on top of hepatitis C virus, presented to the emergency department with generalized abdominal pain and vomiting four months after having a RFA procedure for a liver tumor in segment VIII. Computed tomography showed diaphragmatic hernia with strangulated terminal ileum in the chest. Emergency laparotomy was performed with resection of an ileal segment and creation of double barrel ileostomy. The patient was discharged in a good condition after tolerating oral intake. CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency ablation is an effective modality for management of the primary and secondary liver tumors. Despite its safety, some complication may happen owing to its thermal effect and the associated patients general condition. Many techniques have been described to decrease its thermal injury. Diaphragmatic hernia is a rare complication after RFA. Its clinical presentation may be confusing and it may occur as early as one month after RFA. Its diagnosis depends mainly on computed tomography. Emergency surgical management is the standard approach.

Intake of Acetylsalicylic Acid and High Age Are Risk Factors for Iron Deficiency Anemia in Patients with Large Diaphragmatic Hernias.

INTRODUCTION: In 15% of patients with iron deficiency anemia, large diaphragmatic hernias are found as the cause of chronic iron loss. Conversely, iron deficiency anemia is present in 10-40% of diaphragmatic hernia patients. However, it is unclear why some patients with large diaphragmatic hernias develop anemia and others do not. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 116 patients with diaphragmatic hernias larger than 5 cm for the presence of anemia and the effect of surgery on this anemia, dividing these patients into 4 groups (group A: 21 patients with anemia/surgery, group B: 27 patients without anemia but with surgery, group C: 34 patients with anemia but without surgery, and group D: 34 patients without anemia/surgery). RESULTS: Women significantly predominated in the patient population (76%). Patients with iron deficiency anemia tended to be significantly older than patients without iron deficiency anemia (74.7 ± 12.2 vs. 69.6 ± 14.8 years, p = 0.08). The proportion of patients taking ASA was significantly higher in the anemia collective (41.8% vs. 9.8%, p < 0.001). Regression analysis further confirmed that higher age and ASA intake correlated significantly with lower hemoglobin in anemic patients. Performing hernia repair significantly decreased anemia rates and PPI use in the anemia patients, while both remained almost the same in the non-operated anemia patients. CONCLUSION: ASA use and advanced age are risk factors for the presence of iron deficiency anemia in patients with large diaphragmatic hernias. Surgical hernia repair is suitable to reduce anemia.

Intestinal complications are common in patients with acquired diaphragmatic hernia after pediatric living donor liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Acquired diaphragmatic hernia (DH) following liver transplantation (LT) is usually considered a surgical emergency. Interplay of contributing elements determines its occurrence but, in children, LT with partial liver grafts seems to be the most important causative factor. METHODS: This retrospective study describes the clinical scenario and outcomes of 11 patients with acquired DH following LDLT. RESULTS: During the study period, 1109 primary pediatric LDLT were performed (0.8% DH). The median age and BW of the recipients with DH at transplantation were 17 months and 11.1 kg, respectively; 63.7% of the cases had a weight/age Z-score of less than -2 at transplantation. The median interval between transplantation and diagnosis of DH was 114 days (32-538 days). A total of 6 (54.5%) of the patients had bowel obstruction due to bowel migration into the hemithorax. Ten defects were right-sided. Three patients required enterectomy and enterorrhaphy. Two patients required a new bilioenteric anastomosis, and one of them had complete necrosis of the Roux-in-Y limb. The patient with left-side DH presented gastroesophageal perforation. CONCLUSION: Most defects necessitate primary closure as the first treatment, and recurrence is rare. The associated problems encountered, especially related to intestinal complications, can determine increased morbidity following DH repair. Early diagnosis and intervention are required for achieving better outcomes.

Neumotórax catamenial asociado a hernia diafragmática hepática, tratado con abordaje miniinvasivo: a propósito de un caso / Catamenial pneumothorax associated with hepatic diaphragmatic hernia, treated with a minimally invasive approach: report of a case

El neumotórax catamenial es una patología poco frecuente que afecta a mujeres en edad fértil. La asociación con hernia diafragmática hepática es rara con pocos casos reportados en la literatura. Se presenta un caso clínico junto a una revisión de la literatura ya que es un caso de interés por el modo de resolución y porque existen controversias en cuanto a su tratamiento. Se destaca que para realizar el diagnóstico es importante una alta sospecha clínica. La videotoracoscopia es un buen método para el tratamiento quirúrgico de esta enfermedad y si bien no existen aún datos concluyentes acerca del mejor manejo del neumotórax catamenial, experiencias de la literatura respaldan mejores resultados de la cirugía respecto a la terapia hormonal en término de recurrencia

Catamenial pneumothorax is a rare disease that affects women of childbearing age. The association with diaphragmatic hepatic hernia is rare with few cases reported in the literature. A clinical case is presented together with a review of the literature since it is a case of interest due to the way of resolution and because there are controversies regarding its treatment. It is emphasized that a high clinical suspicion is important to make the diagnosis. Videothoracoscopy is a good method for the surgical treatment of this disease and although there are still no conclusive data about the best management of catamenial pneumothorax, experiences in the literature support better results of surgery with respect to hormonal therapy in terms of recurrence

Pentalogía de Cantrell. Reporte de un caso en el Hospital San Vicente de Paúl de Ibarra, Ecuador / Pentalogy of Cantrell. Report of a case in the San Vicente de Paul Hospital in Ibarra - Ecuador

La pentalogía de Cantrell, o también llamada hernia diafragmática peritoneo-pericárdica, es un síndrome raro que engloba cinco defectos básicos de corazón, esternón, pared abdominal supraumbilical, diafragma y pericardio, cuya incidencia es de aproximadamente uno por cada 200.000 nacimientos1 con un predominio masculino con una relación de 1,35:12. Los doctores Cantrell, Haller y Ravitch describieron esta patología en 19581, recientemente se propuso una hexalogía adicionando al diagnóstico la presencia de una arteria umbilical única3. Se describe el caso de una paciente de 20 años, cursando un embarazo de 26,3 semanas cuyo feto desarrolló una pentalogía de Cantrell asociada a transposición de los grandes vasos. OBJETIVO: El presente artículo pretende describir un caso de pentalogía de Cantrell con una revisión de su fisiopatología, datos diagnósticos, clasificación y manejo. MÉTODOS/ESTRATEGIA DE BÚSQUEDA: Revisión de la historia clínica de la paciente dentro del Servicio de Ginecología y Obstetricia del Hospital San Vicente de Paúl en Ibarra, Ecuador. RESULTADOS: Ecografía obstétrica reporta feto de 26 semanas de gestación, evidenciándose defecto de pared torácica de 2,84 cm al corte axial, que provoca ectopia cardíaca completa, defecto de pared abdominal superior de 4,3 cm al corte transversal que produce protrusión de parénquima hepático, a la ecocardiografía se evidencia transposición de los grandes vasos, se cataloga como pentalogía de Cantrell tipo I. Se decide terminación de embarazo por incompatibilidad con la vida, obteniéndose recién nacido masculino, en el que se comprobó los defectos torácico y abdominal, fallece a los pocos minutos. IMPLICACIONES PARA LA PRÁCTICA: Resaltar la importancia de la ecografía estructural o morfológica, entre las 18 a 24 semanas, para detectar malformaciones congénitas mayores, obtener un diagnóstico certero y realizar un manejo oportuno. IMPLICACIONES PARA LA INVESTIGACIÓN: Se requieren más estudios para determinar etiología y manejo para estos pacientes, ya que se reportan casos de sobrevivencia de los mismos

Cantrell's Pentalogy, and also called peritoneum-pericardial diaphragmatic hernia, is a rare syndrome that includes five basic defects of the heart, sternum, supra-umbilical abdominal wall, diaphragm, and pericardium. Its incidence is approximately 1 for every 200,000 births, with a male predominance with a ratio of 1.35: 1. Doctors Cantrell, Haller and Ravitch described this pathology in 1958 and recently a hexalogy was proposed, adding the presence of a single umbilical artery to the diagnosis. The case is presented on a 20-year-old woman in a 26.3 weeks pregnancy in whom the foetus developed Cantrell's Pentalogy associated with transposition of the great vessels. PURPOSE: This article aims to describe a case of Cantrell's Pentalogy with a review of its physiopathology, diagnostic data, classification, and management. METHODS/SEARCH STRATEGY: Review of the patient's clinical history in the gynaecology and obstetrics service of the San Vicente de Paul Hospital in Ibarra - Ecuador. RESULTS: Obstetric ultrasound showed a foetus of 26 weeks of gestation, with a chest wall defect of 2.84 cm at the axial section that caused complete cardiac ectopy, as well as an upper abdominal wall defect of 4.3cm at the cross section that produced a protrusion of the liver parenchyma. In the cardiac ultrasound transposition of the great vessels could be seen, and was classified as Cantrell's Pentalogy type I. Termination of pregnancy was decided due to incompatibility with life, obtaining a male newborn in whom the thoracic and abdominal defects were verified, and died within a few minutes. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Highlights the importance of structural or morphological ultrasound, between 18 to 24 weeks, to detect major congenital malformations, obtain an accurate diagnosis and timely management. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: More studies are required to determine the aetiology and management of these patients, because cases of survival are reported

Postnephrectomy diaphragmatic hernia presenting as progressive dyspnoea.

The diagnosis of diaphragmatic hernia (DH) in adults is rare and may be due to missed congenital DH or acquired DH from trauma or as a postoperative complication of certain thoracic and abdominal surgeries. We present a case of a patient with well-controlled chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who presented to the hospital with progressive dyspnoea, 6 months after laparoscopic nephrectomy. The patient was initially misdiagnosed and treated for empyema after plain radiographic images were reported as consolidation with gas locules. Multislice CT imaging undertaken before diagnostic thoracocentesis confirmed the presence of a right-sided DH, which was subsequently surgically repaired in the outpatient setting, given her haemodynamic stability. As patients with DH usually present in the emergency setting, requiring urgent inpatient surgical repair, there are currently no guidelines on the method and urgency of management of asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic, stable patients. Furthermore, while plain radiography is the usual first-line imaging modality used, misdiagnosis of DH as pleural effusion or empyema can lead to unnecessary and potentially harmful procedures such as diagnostic thoracocentesis. These risks can potentially be minimised with early utilisation of multislice CT imaging in patients with high clinical suspicion.

Strangulated right-sided diaphragmatic hernia presenting and treated as lung empyema: beware of the differential diagnosis.

A 78-year-old man with no surgical history or recent trauma presented to the emergency department with sudden onset right-sided chest pain and dyspnoea. He was admitted under the physicians for investigations and was subsequently diagnosed with empyema of the right thorax. After no improvement with intravenous antibiotics, a chest drain was inserted; no pus was drained. He worsened clinically; a repeated CT scan demonstrated an incarcerated loop of small bowel within the right thoracic cavity secondary to a diaphragmatic hernia (DH). The patient had emergency surgery to remove necrotic small bowel and to lavage the thorax. Strangulated DH should be considered as a differential diagnosis where presentation is unusual and empyema does not improve after initial management.

[Perforative appendicitis in the left-sided false diaphragmal hernia]. / Perforativnyi appenditsit v levostoronnei lozhnoi diafragmal'noi gryzhe.

Abnormal localization of the appendix in hernial sac occurs in 2-4% of cases. Appendix is often found in inguinal and femoral hernias. Localization of the appendix in diaphragmatic hernia is described as a casuistic case. Case report of successful surgical treatment of a patient with perforated appendicitis in the left diaphragmatic hernia is presented.

Hernia diafragmática complicada / Complicated diaphragmatic hernia

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Hernia diafragmática gigante incarcerada postesofaguectomía (McKeown) con dilatación severa de la gastroplastia / Giant incarcerated diaphragmatic hernia post-esophagectomy (McKeown) with severe dilatation of gastric esophagoplasty

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Hernia hiatal mixta congénita gigante en lactante de cuatro meses / Congenital mixed giant hiatal hernia in a four-month-old infant

Introducción: La hernia hiatal congénita es poco frecuente, con una edad media de presentación a los 28 meses de vida. Las hernias paraesofágicas/mixtas provocan más frecuentemente infecciones respiratorias repetitivas, vómitos, anemia y fallo de medro. Caso clínico: Nos encontramos ante un lactante de 4 meses que presenta irritabilidad desde el nacimiento y rechazo parcial de las tomas en las últimas 24 horas. En el tránsito esófago-gastro-duodenal se evidencia un estómago parcialmente intratorácico. Tras realizarse una tomografía computarizada toraco-abdominal, se plantean como diagnósticos hernia hiatal mixta gigante vs. hernia diafragmática posterolateral derecha vs. esófago corto congénito. Intraoperatoriamente se visualiza hernia hiatal mixta gigante, realizándose herniorrafia laparoscópica y funduplicatura de Nissen. Comentarios: Las hernias con afectación diafragmática más frecuentes en Pediatría son la hernia de Bochdalek y de Morgagni. La hernia hiatal produce más frecuentemente síntomas gastrointestinales; así, el tratamiento es quirúrgico, con el objetivo de evitar o minimizar dichos síntomas y prevenir las consecuencias de la volvulación gástrica

Introduction: Congenital hiatal hernia is a rare pathology, presenting at 28 months of age on average. Paraesophageal/mixed hernias cause recurrent respiratory infections, vomiting, anemia, and growth failure. Clinical case: Four-month-old infant, with irritability since birth and partial feeding intolerance in the last 24 hours. A partial intratho-racic stomach was evidenced in the esophago-gastro-duodenal contrast study. A thoraco-abdominal CT scan was carried out, with giant mixed hiatal hernia, right posterolateral diaphragmatic hernia, and congenital short esophagus being considered as potential diagnoses. A giant mixed hiatal hernia was noted during surgery. Laparoscopic herniorrhaphy and Nissen fundoplication were performed. Discussion: In the pediatric population, Bochdalek's hernia and Morgagni's hernia are the most frequent congenital diaphragmatic hernias. Hiatal hernia is rare and causes gastrointestinal symptoms more frequently. Surgery is the treatment of choice, with the objective of preventing or minimizing these symptoms as well as gastric volvulus