A case of a diaphragmatic rupture complicated with lacerations of stomach and spleen caused by a violent cough presenting with mediastinal shift.

INTRODUCTION

Diapraghmatic rupture is a clinical case that is mostly seen following a blunt thoracoabdominal trauma or is rarely reported as spontaneously induced by various factors.

CLINICAL PICTURE

A 28-year-old man presented as an emergency with shortness of breath and severe abdominal pain following a violent cough. His chest radiography and computed tomography demonstrated left diaphragmatic rupture, mediastinal shift and herniation of gastric fundus into the pleural cavity.

TREATMENT

Left thoracotomy for the replacement of herniated gastric fundus and median laparotomy for the repair of serosal layer of gastric fundus and a diaphragmatic gap were performed.

OUTCOME

He made an uneventful recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

Diaphragmatic ruptures may be caused by violent coughing with serious life-threatening complications.