Publication:

An isolated left diaphragmatic injury due to blunt trauma abdomen: a rare case entity

Isolated diaphragmatic injury in blunt trauma occurs acutely and can be associated with other life-threatening organ injuries. A sudden increase in abdominal pressure causes injury in the membranous or muscular part of the diaphragm. Isolated left diaphragmatic injury after blunt trauma is rarely seen, its diagnosis can be overlooked frequently. Early diagnosis is the most important step in the treatment thereby reducing morbidity and mortality. The most critical point during the diagnosis is the suspicion for clinical diaphragm injury like respiratory distress. Single or serial plain chest radiographs with a high index of suspicion are diagnostic in most cases. Computed tomography of the abdomen and thorax can be a guide for identifying the size of diaphragmatic injury and the contents. In this case report, we presented an isolated left side diaphragmatic rupture after blunt abdominal trauma and treated with an urgent surgical operation.