Herniation of abdominal contents simulating status asthmaticus.

A child with a past history of wheezing presented with an acute illness that simulated an asthma attack. Respiratory distress was not alleviated by nebulized and parenteral therapy for status asthmaticus. The diagnosis of posterolateral diaphragmatic hernia became obvious only when a radiograph demonstrated gas-filled loops of bowel in a hemithorax. The clinician must entertain the diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia in patients with apparent bronchospasm.