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Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a chest cavity, hindering proper lung formation.
CDH is a life-threatening pathology in infants, and a major cause of death due to two complications: pulmonary hypoplasia and pulmonary hypertension.[1] Experts disagree on the relative importance of these two conditions, with some focusing on hypoplasia, others on hypertension.[2] Newborns with CDH often have severe respiratory distress which can be life-threatening unless treated appropriately.
The Bochdalek hernia, also known as a postero-lateral diaphragmatic hernia, is the most common manifestation of CDH, accounting for more than 95% of cases. In this instance the diaphragm abnormality is characterized by a hole in the postero-lateral corner of the diaphragm which allows passage of the abdominal viscera into the chest cavity. The majority of Bochdalek hernias (80-85%) occur on the left side of the diaphragm, a large proportion of the remaining cases occur on the right side. To date, it carries a high mortality and an active area of clinical research.
This rare anterior defect of the diaphragm is variably referred to as Morgagni, retrosternal, or parasternal hernia. Accounting for approximately 2% of all CDH cases, it is characterized by herniation through the xiphoid process of the sternum.[3]
The diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic eventration is used when there is abnormal displacement (i.e. elevation) of part or all of an otherwise intact diaphragm into the chest cavity. This rare type of CDH occurs because in the region of eventration the diaphragm is thinner, allowing the abdominal viscera to protrude upwards.
It involves three major defects:
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia has a mortality rate of 40-62%,[4] outcomes being more favorable in the absence of other congenital abnormalities. Individual rates vary greatly dependent upon multiple factors; size of hernia, organs involved, additional birth defects or genetic problems, amount of lung growth, age and size at birth, type of treatments, timing of treatments, complications such as infections and lack of lung function.
This condition can often be diagnosed before birth and fetal intervention can sometimes help, depending on the severity of the condition.[5] Infants born with diaphragmatic hernia experience respiratory failure due to both pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary hypoplasia. The first condition is a restriction of blood flow through the lungs thought to be caused by defects in the lung. Pulmonary hypoplasia or decreased lung volume is directly related to the abdominal organs presence in the chest cavity which causes the lungs to be severely undersized, especially on the side of the hernia.
Survival rates for infants with this condition vary, but have generally been increasing through advances in neonatal medicine. Work has been done to correlate survival rates to ultrasound measurements of the lung volume as compared to the baby's head circumference. This figure known as the lung to head ratio (LHR).
A small percentage of cases go unrecognized into adulthood.[6]
First step in management is orogastric tube placement and securing the airway (intubation). The baby will usually be immediately placed on a ventilator.
Breath of Hope
Diaphragm eventration is typically repaired thoracoscopically, by a technique called plication of the diaphragm.[10] Plication basically involves a folding of the eventrated diaphragm which is then sutured in order to “take up the slack” of the excess diaphragm tissue.
[9]
International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Icd-10, EMedicine, Medical Subject Headings, Abdomen
X-linked recessive, National Institutes of Health, International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Icd-10, Omim