Bochdalek hernia in a young adult successfully treated with a laparoscopic approach, a case report

Strangulated Bochdalek Hernia in Adults: Timely Recognition and Surgical Intervention Can Prevent a Lethal Outcome

Bochdalek hernias are rare diaphragmatic hernias most commonly seen in pediatric populations. Adults with this condition may be asymptomatic or present with gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, pressure, choking, or dysphagia. Computed tomography imaging is a gold standard in diagnosing the condition. The definitive treatment is surgery, recommended and encouraged for asymptomatic patients as well to reduce the risk of future complications. Whilst the approach to surgical management differs on a case-by-case basis, the main goal is to reduce the herniating organ and repair the defect. It is important to note that in severe cases, intestinal obstruction and strangulation may occur. We present a unique case of this very phenomenon in a patient diagnosed and treated as a case of strangulated Bochdalek hernia. We aim to highlight the importance of diagnosing this condition as clinical symptoms may be non-specific, and rapid surgical intervention is necessary.

Incidental finding of Bochdalek hernia in an adult: a case report

A Bochdalek hernia, also known as a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), is a type of hernia that occurs in infants. The diaphragm, the muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity, is characterized by a hole or gap during birth. This opening allows the abdominal organs, such as the stomach, intestines, or liver, to pass through the thoracic cavity. Here, we report a 56-year-old male patient who came to our hospital because of rectal bleeding, symptoms unrelated to the hernia. We performed a Computed Tomography (CT) scan with contrast enhancement to find the cause of the bleeding and as an incidental finding we diagnosed the hernia: it is very rare to find a silent Bochdalek hernia for more than 50 years.