Chilaiditi's Sign Associated with Acute Colonic Pseudo-obstruction: A Radiological Diagnosis

Chilaiditi’s sign is a rare radiological anomaly of hepato-diaphragmatic interposition of the bowel. We report a case of Chilaiditi’s sign associated with acute colonic pseudo-obstruction. A 90-year-old male was admitted for hypertensive emergency. His physical examination showed a distended abdomen, decreased bowel sounds, and right upper quadrant tenderness. A chest radiograph demonstrated marked elevation of the right diaphragm and interposition of the hepatic flexure of the colon between the diaphragm and the liver, along with marked gaseous distension up to 9 cm in the ascending colon without any small bowel distension. The patient was managed conservatively with bowel rest, stool softeners, enemas, and intravenous (IV) hydration. The patient improved clinically with resolution of colonic distension. Chilaiditi's sign and Chilaiditi syndrome are rare entities and therefore are often misdiagnosed and mismanaged. Awareness of the radiological sign, the syndrome itself, and the association with acute colonic pseudo-obstruction is important for all care providers so that they can opt for more conservative management strategies instead of unnecessary interventions including surgeries.