An Unusual Cause of Thoracic Pain in a Child

Abstract

In adults, late presentation of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia is well known. In children it is rarely reported. We report the case of a fourteen-year-old boy that presented on the emergency department of our hospital with progressive pain at the right hemi thorax. Only with a thorough medical history, a relationship between his complaints and a car accident nine years ago could be made. This resulted in the right diagnosis. At first presentation after thoracic and/or abdominal trauma, there must be awareness of the possibility of diaphragmatic rupture, although the prevalence is low. There is a high chance of missing diagnosis by overshadowing complaints and diagnostic difficulties. The hernia can be discovered years after trauma. Management is primarily surgical.