CT diagnosis of delayed presentation of congenital diaphragmatic hernia simulating massive pleuropneumonia.

A case of an 11-month-old infant with a delayed presentation of congenital diaphragmatic hernia is reported. Incarceration of the herniated colon caused a misleading appearance on the chest X-ray which was interpreted as massive pleuropneumonia. Computed tomography, performed because of continuing deterioration in the clinical condition, showed fluid-filled bowel loops in the chest and dilated bowel loops with air-fluid levels in the abdomen, suggesting the correct diagnosis.