Recurrent chest infection and congenital anomalies in children with Morgagni's hernia.

Abstract

Aim: Congenital diaphragmatic hernias are common, whereas defects through the foramen of Morgagni are much more rarely observed. This study aimed to summarize clinically relevant three-year data on Morgagni's hernia (MH) in children. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on all the patients who underwent MH repair from 2005 to May 2008. A total of 7 children with MH were reviewed (4 females, aged 3.5 months to 9 years), and demographic data, clinical presentation, morbidity, and outcome were studied. Contrast studies and computed tomography (CT) scans of the thorax were performed for diagnosis. Results: The most common complaints of the patients with respiratory disorders included cough and wheezing. Chest auscultation revealed rales, rhoncus, and/or wheezing, especially at the right hemithorax. Associated anomalies were documented in 6 patients (85.7%), most of whom presented pectus carinatum, malrotation, caput quadratum, undescended testes, micropenis, Down's syndrome, and Marfan syndrome. The X-ray radiography and CT scans revealed a gas-filled cystic mass (5 cases) and homogeneous mass image (2 cases). MH diagnosis was confirmed following colonography. Of the 7 patients, 6 had right-sided MH and 1 had bilateral hernia. The MHs were most commonly accompanied by a hernia sac, whose contents were primarily limited to the colon. All the patients underwent transabdominal repair. The patients recovered well postoperatively. Conclusions: Our study shows a relatively high frequency of MH compared with that reported in literature. MH should be considered as a diagnosis for patients who present unexplained radiological images associated with congenital anomalies and recurrent chest infection.

Keywords

• Morgagni's hernia, recurrent chest infection, congenital anomalies, child

References

1. Ayse Esin Kibar, Mehmet Burhan Oflaz, Sevcan Erdem, Bahar Cakır, Tugrul Tiryaki, Emrah Senel Journal of Pediatric Sciences 2012;4(4):e159