[Intrathoracic hemorrhage of the intra-abdominal organs following diaphragmatic rupture. A rare cause of hemothorax].

After posttraumatic diaphragm ruptures in some cases life threatening haemorrhages from intraabdominal organs (especially from the spleen) into the thorax were found. In general, the diagnosis cannot be established by peritoneal lavage or abdominal sonography. And in case of emergency, there is often not enough time to obtain a computed tomography. It is therefore extremely important for the patient's prognosis that the surgeon initially performing treatment be aware of this cause of bleeding. Correct interpretation of the chest x-ray, for instance in the case of stomach air in a left basal shadow above the diaphragm, can confirm the suspicion, and the urgently required operation can be performed in time.