Fellowship in neonatology (Sydney) & Pediatric Pulmonology AIIMS (India), Associate Professor and Head of Unit, (Pediatrics & Pediatric Pulmonology), PGIMER, Dr RML Hospital, Govt. Of India, New Delhi, India
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) occurs when intra-abdominal contents herniate into the thoracic cavity through a defect in the diaphragm as a result of maldevelopment of fetal organs. It can be diagnosed in antenatal period with help of ultrasonography. Postnataly it presents soon after birth as respiratory distress along with a scaphoid abdomen. Radiological findings in a chest skiagram consist of bowel gas shadows in thoracic fields. We report here a case in which these pathognomonic features were not present making the diagnosis difficult. Repeated X ray chest films showed persistence of intrathoracic mass as no bowel shadows were visible. A CT scan with contrast of the chest was required to confirm the diagnosis later on.
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