Eventuration of the diaphragm is, by definition, abnormally high or elevated position of diaphragm as a result of paralysis, aplasia or atrophy of varing degrees of muscle fibers, and the cause of which may be congenital or acquired. The unbroken continuity of the diaphragm differentiates it from diaphragmatic hernia. The clinical manifestations of the condition, if present, are usually due to the interference of the ventilatory function of the lung and digesive dysfunction due to gastrointestinal distorsion. Treatment consists of surgical repair of the relaxed diaphragm to it´s normal position.
A case of left sided eventuration of the diaphragm, 31 year old officer, was found by chance after traffic accident with chief complaints of hemoptysis and multiple superficial contusions. Routine chest roentgenogram and barium study of the colon revealed moderately elevated left hemidiaphragm with displacement of the splenic flexure of the colon into the left chest. Past history revealed frequent attack of upper respiratory infection and some abnormal condition on his left chest announced by screen check of chest X-ray at the time of entrance for his army service 3 years before.
Plication of the relaxed diaphragm through left thoracotomy was done and result was excellent as seen on Fig. 5. Cause of eventuration of the left hemidiaphragm was due to paralysis of the left phrenic nerve which was tested during thoracotomy.
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