Acute Complications of Late-presenting Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia in Children: Report of 2 Cases and Review of Literature

摘要

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia can present beyond the neonatal period. This article reports 2 cases of late-presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) in children presenting with symptoms of acute abdominal pain and respiratory distress. The diagnosis was confirmed on chest X-ray which showed herniation of abdominal organs into the left hemithorax and mediastinal shift to the right. In one child, the diagnosis was further confirmed with limited contrast follow through. The hernia defects were repaired through laparotomy and laparoscopy respectively. Late-presenting CDH poses diagnostic difficulties and children presenting with non specific respiratory or abdominal symptoms may actually suffer from acute complications of CDH.