True Diaphragmatic Hernia in a Cat

Abstract

A report of a cat with a true diaphragmatic hernia in which only falciform fat had herniated is presented. The lesion was misinterpreted as a pulmonary mass. Additional radiographic studies which may have been of diagnostic benefit are briefly discussed.

Imaging Diagnosis—positive Contrast Peritoneographic Features of True Diaphragmatic Hernia

“…A true diaphragmatic hernia may be asymptomatic, as in the dogs in this report, and only monitoring is necessary 8 . However, clinical signs may develop as a previous report in a cat where surgery was considered necessary 7 . A PPDH can also be asymptomatic; however, various clinical signs, such as respiratory, gastrointestinal, and other vague signs, can develop necessitating surgical correction 8 …”

“…Diaphragmatic eventration is common in humans 5,6 . In veterinary medicine, diaphragmatic eventration has been referred to as a “true diaphragmatic hernia” and is defined as a subtotal diaphragmatic tear in which the serosa on the thoracic surface of the diaphragm remains intact 7 . A diaphragmatic eventration is characterized by displacement of part of or the whole of the hemidiaphragm cranially without malposition of abdominal organs into the thoracic cavity.…”

Morphological Characterization of Diaphragm in Common Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri sciureus)

“…JOSÉ RICARDO N. DE SOUZA NETO et al Congenital pleuroperitoneal hernias are rare in canines, and usually take the form of a defect in the dorsolateral diaphragm with or without central tendon involvement (Venkatesh et al 2011). Congenital pleuroperitoneal hernias have also been diagnosed in cats (Voges et al 1997). Congenital pleuroperitoneal hernias are rarely diagnosed in small animals, because many affected animals die at birth or soon after (Fossum 2007).…”

Congenital pleuroperitoneal hernia presenting as gastrothorax in five cavalier King Charles spaniel dogs

“…, Voges et al . ). The clinical signs of congenital diaphragmatic hernia may appear suddenly without any known external trauma; abdominal organs within the thoracic cavity cause respiratory distress due to a space‐occupying effect and restriction of lung expansion ( Pratschke ).…”

“…Congenital diaphragmatic defects include peritoneopericardial hernias, hiatal hernias and, rarely, pleuroperitoneal hernias (PlPDHs, Cariou et al 2009). There are only a few veterinary reports of congenital PlPDH and an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance was proposed (Feldman et al 1968, Valentine et al 1988, Voges et al 1997). The clinical signs of congenital diaphragmatic hernia may appear suddenly without any known external trauma; abdominal organs within the thoracic cavity cause respiratory distress due to a space-occupying effect and restriction of lung expansion (Pratschke 2002).…”