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Traumatic injuries of the diaphragm: overview of imaging findings and diagnosis

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Abstract

Injuries to the diaphragm muscle occur in penetrating and severe blunt trauma and can lead to delayed hernia formation. Computed tomography is the mainstay in the diagnosis of these injuries, which may be subtle at presentation. Imaging findings differ between blunt and penetrating trauma. Key features in blunt trauma include diaphragm fragment distraction and organ herniation because of increased intra-abdominal pressure. In penetrating trauma, herniation is uncommon, and the trajectory of the object is critical in making the diagnosis of diaphragm injury in these patients. Radiologists must keep a high index of suspicion for injury to the diaphragm in cases of trauma to the chest or abdomen.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St., Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Mark M. Hammer

  2. Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA

    Demetrios A. Raptis, Vincent M. Mellnick, Sanjeev Bhalla & Constantine A. Raptis

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  1. Mark M. Hammer
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  2. Demetrios A. Raptis
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  3. Vincent M. Mellnick
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  4. Sanjeev Bhalla
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  5. Constantine A. Raptis
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Correspondence to Mark M. Hammer.

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This study was not funded.

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MMH declares that he has no conflict of interest. DAR declares that he has no conflict of interest. VMM declares that he has no conflict of interest. SB declares that he has no conflict of interest. CAR declares that he has no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

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Hammer, M.M., Raptis, D.A., Mellnick, V.M. et al. Traumatic injuries of the diaphragm: overview of imaging findings and diagnosis. Abdom Radiol 42, 1020–1027 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-016-0908-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-016-0908-3

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