Hepatic pulmonary fusion in an infant with a right-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia and contralateral mediastinal shift

J Pediatr Surg. 2010 Jan;45(1):265-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2009.10.090.

Abstract

Hepatic pulmonary fusion is extremely rare with only 9 previous cases reported in the literature. In typical cases, the clinician should be alerted to the possibility of hepatic pulmonary fusion if the chest radiograph shows a large opacity on the right side without a contralateral mediastinal shift. The authors present a case of right-sided diaphragmatic hernia and hepatic pulmonary fusion with associated contralateral mediastinal shift discovered beyond the neonatal period. The 9 previous cases were retrospectively reviewed with special attention to mediastinal shift on preoperative chest radiograph, operative procedure, and mortality. Only one previous case demonstrated a contralateral mediastinal shift. The most common procedure performed was partial separation of the hepatic pulmonary fusion and approximation of the diaphragmatic defect. Four of the previous 9 patients died. In our case, reduction of bowel and approximation of the diaphragmatic defect around the fused liver and lung have been successful.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abnormalities, Multiple / diagnostic imaging
  • Abnormalities, Multiple / surgery*
  • Functional Laterality
  • Hernia, Diaphragmatic / diagnostic imaging
  • Hernia, Diaphragmatic / surgery*
  • Hernias, Diaphragmatic, Congenital*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Liver / abnormalities*
  • Liver / surgery*
  • Lung / abnormalities*
  • Lung / surgery*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Mediastinum / diagnostic imaging
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures / methods
  • Preoperative Care / methods
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Surgical Mesh
  • Thoracoscopy / methods