Eventration of Diaphragm: A Rare Case Report

Abstract

Diaphragmatic eventration is the abnormal elevation of the diaphragm with normal peripheral attachment. It can be either congenital or acquired. Usually diagnosed accidentally, it is asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic with shortness of breath or non-specific GI symptoms like epigastric pain, burning sensation, regurgitation, nausea, belching and abdomen distension. Here is reported the case of a 71-year-old male who presented with abdominal distension, pain, and bloating along with shortness of breath after meals, that had increased for the last 1 month. This brought him to the pulmonary department of our hospital and he was accidentally diagnosed as eventration of the diaphragm. Eventration leads to a decrease of the movement and even paradoxical movement, causing poor lung expansion and decreased blood flow, generating a hypoxia mediated vasoconstriction. This elevation of the diaphragmatic dome to the chest also allows the protrusion of abdominal contents to the thoracic cavity. If respiratory distress is serious and persistent surgical fixation of the diaphragm, is procedure of choice.