Background:

The diaphragm is a fibromuscular organ whose primary function is related to ventilation. It also serves as a barrier between pleural and abdominal cavities. This organ is rarely affected by pathologic entities, but eventration is among the primary diseases of this structure.

Case Report:

We present the case of a 21 year old female with no relevant personal history. She arrived to the emergency room with thoracic blunt trauma. Chest radiography is indicated, showing elevation of the left hemidiaphragm. This study was complemented with a computed tomography making a presumptive diagnosis of diaphragmatic eventration. As part of the treatment, we proposed surgical therapy but the patient refused and now she is under surveillance in her clinic.

Discussion:

Diaphragmatic eventration is caused by the weakness of the muscular part of the organ. It is thought that is caused by functional or congenital absence of the diaphragmatic musculature. The clinical presentation is variable but, in most of the cases, the patients are asymptomatic. The diagnosis is made by radiologic studies such as chest plains and computed tomography.

Treatment could be conservative or surgical. The prognosis will depend on the degree of pulmonary hypoplasia and the coexistence of other malformations.

Conclusion:

Diaphragmatic eventration is rarely diagnosed in adults and the treatment will depend on the surgeon´s and the patient´s joined decision.

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