Non traumatic liver herniation due to persistent cough mimicking a pulmonary mass

A Pataka; A Paspala; E Sourla; V Bagalas; P Argyropoulou

Non traumatic liver herniation due to persistent cough mimicking a pulmonary mass

Hippokratia. 2013 Oct;17(4):376-7.

Authors

A Pataka¹, A Paspala¹, E Sourla¹, V Bagalas¹, P Argyropoulou¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Respiratory Medicine, Respiratory Failure Unit, G.Papanikolaou Hospital, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.

PMID: 25031522
PMCID: PMC4097424

Abstract

Background: Non traumatic liver herniation through a diaphragmatic defect is rare.

Case report: A 44 year old woman presented with lower lobe opacity at the right lung. Chest Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a round tumor adjacent to the right diaphragm. Percutaneous needle biopsy revealed liver tissue. A small liver herniation through a diaphragmatic defect was detected in saggital and coronal CT views but no traumatic rupture of the diaphragm or endometriosis were documented.

Conclusions: The patient suffered from gastroesophageal reflux disease and increased transdiaphragmatic pressure from paroxysmal cough due to aspirations may have provoked the diaphragmatic rupture.

Keywords: GERD; Liver; diaphragmatic defect; gastroesophageal reflux disease; herniation; lung tumor.