[Complications of misdiagnosed Bochdalek hernia in adults. Literature review].

AIM OF THE STUDY: To report 3 new cases of complicated Bochdalek hernia (BH) in adulthood and to review the literature about this rare condition.

CASE REPORT: Three adult patients were operated on for a BH undiagnosed until occurrence of acute complication. The first patient, 27 years-old, had small bowel obstruction and the diagnosis of BH, unrecognized on chest X-ray, was established on barium meal and CT scan. The second patient, 38 years-old, had epigastric pain and gastric obstruction: diagnosis of BH, unrecognized at a previous laparotomy, was established on CT scan and barium enema. The third patient, 88 years-old, had respiratory failure and gastric obstruction: diagnosis of BH, unrecognized on chest X-ray, was established on CT scan. The 3 patients were operated on through laparotomy (n = 2) ou thoracotomy (n = 1) with one post-operative death.

DISCUSSION: In adulthood, BH can remain asymptomatic for a long time before occurrence of a acute digestive or respiratory complication. Chest X-ray can be normal or misinterpreted. CT scan seems to be the most reliable examination to diagnose BH.

CONCLUSION

In adulthood, diagnosis of BH should be evocated in case of respiratory or upper digestive symptoms.