Background

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a rare congenital anomaly and typically manifests with respiratory distress occurring immediately after birth or in the first few hours or days of a child’s life [1]. Delayed presentation of CDH, beyond the first 24 h of life, is seen in 10 to 20% of cases. Presenting symptoms may be quite nonspecific and are often gastrointestinal rather than respiratory in origin [2]. The herniation of the stomach into the hemithorax occurs through a diaphragmatic defect, which may not be sufficiently wide, and when combined with a twist of the stomach in the form of volvulus, compromise of the gastric blood supply is highly likely. In such cases, there can be a diagnostic dilemma in view of the non-specific features. Combination of acute gastric volvulus with CDH is unusual and hence is a true surgical emergency due to the compromise of blood supply leading onto gastric necrosis [3].

Case presentation

One-year male child presented with refusal of feeds and retching over the past 2 days, accompanied by irritable cry. On examination child was irritable, with respiratory rate of 42/min and heart rate of 152/min. On auscultation of the chest, left-sided air entry was decreased. The child was stabilised with supportive care. He was later intubated and ventilated due to worsening respiratory distress. Chest x-ray showed mediastinum shifted to the right side with whiteout of the left hemithorax (Fig. 1). Contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) thorax revealed collapsed left lung with non-enhanced stomach wall in the left hemithorax with left pleural effusion (Fig. 2). Diagnosis of left CDH with gastric volvulus was suspected. After adequate resuscitation and informed written consent, the child was taken up for surgery.

Fig. 1
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Pre-operative chest x-ray showing shift of mediastinum to the right and whiteout of the left hemithorax

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Fig. 2
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CECT thorax showing collapsed left lung with non-enhancing wall of the stomach in the left hemithorax

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At laparotomy, a 1.5 × 1.5-cm defect in the left posterolateral diaphragm was noted with stomach, small bowel, omentum, and left lobe of the liver as contents. Also, gastric volvulus with massive necrosis was present (Fig. 3). After resection of the necrotic gastric body (nearly 60% of the total volume of stomach), the residual antrum and fundus were repaired in 2 layers using polyglactin 4-0 sutures. For enteral feed, tube jejunostomy was placed.

Fig. 3
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Intra-operative findings

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Post-operatively, the child was stabilised and weaned off the ventilator. Enteral feeds were administered through the tube jejunostomy and after 3 weeks oral contrast study showed a small capacity stomach (Fig. 4). Gradually, the child tolerated oral feeds and was discharged. At 1-year follow-up, the child is thriving well.

Fig. 4
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Post-operative upper GI contrast study at 3 weeks with small capacity stomach

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Discussion

Gastric volvulus with massive necrosis in the setting of CDH requires a high index of clinical suspicion for appropriate diagnosis. Literature has only few reported cases. Delay in diagnosis can lead onto significant morbidity such as loss of storage capacity of the stomach. Plain X-ray of the chest with both domes of diaphragm in erect posture is needed to clinch an early diagnosis [3]. In equivocal cases, an upper gastrointestinal contrast study is helpful [4]. Also, CECT scan of the chest with three dimensional reconstructions can clearly show the herniation of abdominal contents into the chest cavity [5]. Abnormal position of the stomach with non-enhancing wall is suggestive of gastric volvulus with compromised blood supply [3].

In the occurrence of massive gastric necrosis, a near total or total gastrectomy may be required, with restoration of esophago-intestinal continuity by anastomosis with residual stomach or interposition of a loop of the small intestine [3]. In our patient, part of the antrum and fundus was viable, which was used to reconstruct the residual stomach. The stomach receives blood supply via the right and left gastric arteries and also the right and left gastro-epiploic arteries. This ensures an excellent and extensive collateral supply allowing organ preservation even in the setting of massive necrosis [6]. Hence, the aim is to do conservative resection, removing only the absolutely nonviable tissue and allow the collaterals to take over the salvage of the gastric remnant. Nevertheless, gastric volvulus has a high mortality rate of 30–50%, and up to 60% when strangulation or significant vascular compromise is present. An early diagnosis and prompt surgical treatment is required for an uneventful recovery [7].

Shukla et al. [3] report the rarity of massive gastric necrosis in the literature. Of the 2 cases reported in their series, one underwent total gastrectomy and the other partial resection and reconstruction of the stomach. Our case is similar to the second case in terms of gastric salvage, but different from the associated diaphragmatic eventration in both their cases whereas our child had a diaphragmatic hernia.

Strengths of this report include the timely sequence of diagnosis, surgical management and recovery. The inability to document the actual area of vascular demarcation before surgery is a limitation of this case report.

Conclusion

Delayed presentation of CDH poses difficulty in diagnosis and use of CECT thorax is valuable. Massive gastric necrosis is a difficult surgical problem, but salvage is still possible due to the rich collateral gastric blood supply.