MORGAGNI HERNIA IN THE ADULT PATIENT: A CASE REPORT

Congenital diaphragmatic hernias (CDHs) occur from a disruption in the muscular formation of the diaphragm, resulting in herniation of abdominal contents into the thoracic cavity (12). First described by Giovanni Batista Morgagni, the anteromedial sternocostal location of diaphragmatic hernia through the defect located between the muscle fibres of the xiphisternum and the costal margin is a rare type of CDH and accounts for only 2% to 3% of cases of all CDHs. In the neonatal patients, the most common symptoms are pulmonary hypertension and respiratory distress, and in adult patients, these are dyspnea, cough, chest pain and obstruction symptoms. In this case report, the patient (male, 66 years) reported one month lasting tachycardia, upper abdominal pain and discomfort, claiming certain alleviation of the symptoms in upright position. He had medical history of cardiac disease. The diagnosis was presumed on plain radiogram of the thorax and it was confirmed with CT scan of thorax and abdomen. The patient was treated surgically with primary closure of the diaphragmatic defect. Acta Medica Medianae 2020;59(3):108-111.