Acquired right-sided diaphragmatic hernia in a patient with retroperitoneal hydatidosis: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Diaphragmatic hernia is primarily congenital in origin and has potentially devastating pulmonary complications. Acquired diaphragmatic hernia as a complication of hydatid disease remains a rare clinical entity. Retroperitoneal hydatidosis, in particular is an exceptionally rare cause behind a similar presentation. This paper aims to present the first case of acquired diaphragmatic hernia likely caused by eroding retroperitoneal hydatid cysts and provide a succinct literature review regarding the causative association between hydatid disease and diaphragmatic defects. CASE PRESENTATION: A 71-year-old Saudi man, with a history of hydatid disease involving several areas including the retroperitoneum, presented with multiple episodes of shortness of breath and abdominal pain of 10 months’ duration. Computed tomography scans of the chest and abdomen demonstrated the presence of a large diaphragmatic defect, with herniation of bowel loops into the chest cavity. Initially, the patient underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy which was then converted to a posterolateral thoracotomy to repair the defect. CONCLUSIONS: The ability of hydatid disease to involve several body organs makes diagnosis and management of resultant complications a challenge in some cases, like ours. Knowledge about a reported rare complication could enable early detection and management to avoid serious complications, including abdominal viscera incarceration and strangulation.