Imaging characteristics and treatment strategies of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia with aortic dissection: a report of 3 cases

BACKGROUND: Traumatic aortic dissection with traumatic diaphragmatic hernia is a rare traumatic disease. The purpose of this article is to investigate the imaging characteristics and treatment strategies for traumatic diaphragmatic hernia with aortic dissection. CASE PRESENTATION: The imaging and clinical data of 3 patients with traumatic diaphragmatic hernia combined with aortic dissection were analyzed retrospectively. Of the three cases, two were males, and one was female; their mean age was 52.7 years (range, 47–62 years). Plain chest CT scans revealed diaphragmatic hernia in 2 patients, but no traumatic aortic dissection was found. Diaphragmatic hernia repair was performed in all patients. Aortic dilatation was found during intraoperative exploration, and aortic dissection was confirmed by postoperative enhanced CT. One patient underwent stent implantation and recovered smoothly (Case 1). The other patient refused stent implantation and died of thoracic hemorrhage (Case 2). The third patient underwent preoperative enhanced CT to identify traumatic diaphragmatic hernia with aortic dissection (Case 3). Aortic covered stent implantation was performed immediately, and diaphragmatic hernia repair was performed at a selected time. The patient’s postoperative recovery was good. CONCLUSION: A preoperative plain chest CT scan indicated diaphragmatic hernia in major blunt thoracic trauma patients with a history of trauma and blurred periaortic spaces accompanied by hematocele and other imaging manifestations. Chest-enhanced CT should be performed to improve the diagnostic accuracy of aortic dissection.