The hepatothorax: An unusual complication of right sided diaphragmatic injuries

Right diaphragmatic post-traumatic rupture with liver herniation is an extremely rare condition. The diagnosis is mainly radiological and the rupture may go unnoticed in the acute setting. Depending on the size of the right diaphragmatic defect, the initial herniation can be partial and the total hepatothorax is established progressively. The diagnosis may be delayed and made with the onset of the first symptoms. Hepatothorax leads usually to severe right lung atelectasis with respiratory and cardiac impairment. Definitive treatment consists in surgical repair of the diaphragm. We present hereby the case of an hepatothorax diagnosed 4 years after a penetrating thoracoabdominal trauma. Key words: Trauma, diaphragmatic rupture, hepatothorax.