A rare case of treatment of a congenital malformation - a late-detected Bochdalek diaphragmatic hernia, which simulated the clinical picture of chronic coprostasis, in a 12-year-old child
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15574/PS.2025.3(88).149152Keywords:
congenital malformation, diaphragmatic hernia, diagnostic complexity, late detection, surgical correction, childAbstract
Aim - to analyze and describe the experience of treating a late-detected Bochdalek diaphragmatic hernia, which simulated the clinical picture of chronic coprostasis, in a 12-year-old child.
Clinical case. A rare case of treatment of a congenital malformation - a late-detected Bochdalek diaphragmatic hernia, which simulated the clinical picture of chronic coprostasis, in a 12-year-old child is presented. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia that was not diagnosed in the perinatal period can manifest in childhood or adolescence with nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms, in particular in the form of chronic coprostasis. In patients with prolonged complaints of constipation, abdominal pain, or periodic bloating that do not respond to standard therapy, it is necessary to exclude not only functional but also organic causes, in particular congenital diaphragmatic anomalies.
Conclusions. The presence of an atypical clinical picture of PDG in older children creates a high risk of diagnostic errors, so clinicians should remain alert to this pathology even in the absence of respiratory symptoms. Imaging methods, especially computed tomography, are crucial for verifying diaphragmatic defects in cases of doubtful or chronic clinical manifestations. Timely surgical intervention in cases of late-detected DDH ensures a positive outcome and prevents the development of potentially fatal complications.
The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The informed consent of parents of children was obtained for conducting the studies.
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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