Lee Cheng-Han, Tsai Liang-Miin, Lin Li-Jen, Chen Po-Sheng
Int J Cardiol. 2006 Nov 18;113(3):E73-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2006.04.021. Epub 2006 Jun 9.
Although congenital defects of the diaphragm often occur in the period immediately following birth, 10-20% of these cases are diagnosed later. Diaphragmatic hernia with intrathoracic kidney is very rare. The radiographic appearance of diaphragmatic hernia with a thoracic kidney is similar to posterior mediastinal masses. Chest computed tomography (CT) is an important and efficient tool in confirming the diagnosis. We reported a 28-year-old man who suffered from nonspecific chest tightness for 1 month. He denied a history of traumatic chest injury. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a left posterior reniform mass with central echo complex, which was finally confirmed by contrast-enhanced chest CT to be a congenital intrathoracic kidney.