Delayedright-Sided Diaphragmatic Rupture after Blunt Chest Trauma: A Rarity

Abstract Traumatic injuries of the diaphragm are relatively uncommon, as such are frequently missed, especially when it occurs following blunt trauma and on the right side. These injuries often occurred in the setting of polytrauma, as such other obvious injuries tend to mask the diaphragmatic injuries thus resulting in delayed or missed diagnosis. We report the case of a 45 year old man with delayed right-sided diaphragmatic rupture following blunt trauma, who had trans-thoracic open repair with complete relief of symptoms. Although right diaphragmatic rupture is uncommon because of the cushioning effect of the liver, it should be included in the differential diagnosis of persistent right sided chest pain in a patient that has sustained previous chest trauma, no matter how remote the history might be.