Incarcerated Diaphragmatic Hernia with Bowel Perforation Presenting as a Tension Pneumothorax

Abstract

We present an interesting case of a patient with a previously known diaphragmatic hernia in which the colon became incarcerated, ischemic and finally perforated. She had no prior history of abdominal pain or vomiting, yet she present with cardiovascular collapse. To our knowledge, this is the only case report of a tension pneumothorax associated with perforated bowel that was not in the setting of trauma or colonoscopy. [West J Emerg Med. 2014;15(2):142-144.]

Keywords

• tension pneumothorax
• diaphragmatic hernia