Stabbing chest pain: a case of intermittent diaphragmatic herniation

P Ransom; P Cornelius

doi:10.1136/emj.2003.012468

Stabbing chest pain: a case of intermittent diaphragmatic herniation

Emerg Med J. 2005 Jun;22(6):460-1. doi: 10.1136/emj.2003.012468.

Authors

P Ransom¹, P Cornelius

Affiliation

¹ Emergency Department, Hastings Conquest Hospital, East Sussex, UK. pransom@mistral.co.uk

Abstract

A case of traumatic diaphragmatic herniation is described in which gross mediastinal shift was caused by a combination of the herniated abdominal organs, purulent exudate, and air. This complex presentation might best be described as a case of gastrocolopyopneumothorax, diagnosis of which was further complicated by the intermittent nature of the herniation.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Adult
Chest Pain / diagnostic imaging
Chest Pain / etiology*
Hernia, Diaphragmatic / complications*
Hernia, Diaphragmatic / diagnostic imaging
Hernia, Diaphragmatic / surgery
Humans
Male
Mediastinum
Pneumothorax / diagnostic imaging
Pneumothorax / etiology
Pneumothorax / surgery
Radiography
Thoracic Injuries / complications*
Thoracic Injuries / diagnostic imaging
Thoracic Injuries / surgery
Thoracotomy
Wounds, Stab / complications*
Wounds, Stab / diagnostic imaging
Wounds, Stab / surgery