MORGAGNI CONGENITAL DIAPHRAGMATIC HERNIA IN A 7-MONTHS-OLD BOY. A CASE REPORT

Congenital diaphragmatic abnormalities occur in 1/2000 to 1/4000 births. Congenital diaphragmatic hernias are relatively common, with a majority forming posterolaterally through the foramen of Bochdalek. The incidence of Morgagni hernia is about 2% from all the others diaphragmatic hernias. Patients are usually asymptomatic and cases are discovered incidentally from a chest or an abdominal radiograph undertaken for unrelated reasons. Surgical correction is recommended in all cases to avoid the risk of complications, especially bowel strangulation. We present a rare case of a 7 months-old male, initially seen by the Emergency Department for respiratory symptoms; a chest X-ray was therefore ordered, which showed a right paracardiac mass (intestinal loops of bowel with gas pattern and air-fluid leve). The lateral view thoracic X-ray demostrated the presence of bowel loops in the anterior mediastinum. A Morgagni diaphragmatic congenital hernia was then diagnosed. Given the risk for hemorrhage and obstruction we performed surgical repair by an open transabdominal approach.