The diaphragm is formed from the structures of septum transversum, body wall and pleuroperitoneal membranes.
The most important and most frequent defect is congenital posterolateral hernia located on the left. The occurence is 1 : 2000 – 3000 liveborns.
Associated congenital malformations of other organs are found in about one quarter of the affected individuals. Cardiovascular, urogenital or central nervous system malformations are associated.
Often occurs with chromosomal aberrations (trisomy 18,21) Nevertheless most cases are sporadic, the condition commonly presents as the sole abnormality in wellgrown term infant. Familial cases are very rare and comprise less than 2% of the cases.
Through the defect of the diaphragm the abdominal organs herniate into the thoracic cavity and compress the lung. Sometimes the mediastinum is shifted. The lung on the side of the hernia is always hypoplastic but the contralateral lung may be also involved. An infant with a large hernia presents in the first minutes to hours of life with severe respiratory distress. Surgical correction of the defect is performed immediately. Survival rates are low even nowadays in infants with large or bilateral diaphragmatic defets, severe pulmonary hypoplasia and persistent pulmonary hypertension.
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia: Diaphragmatic herniation, Macro, autopsy (72049) Diaphragmatic herniation, Macro, autopsy (72048)
Left sided diaphragmatic hernia, 22-week fetus: Congenital diaphragmatic herniation, Macro, autopsy (72440) Congenital diaphragmatic herniation, Macro, autopsy (72441)
Left sided diaphragmatic hernia: Diaphagmatic herniation, Macro, autopsy (73290) Diaphagmatic herniation, Macro, autopsy (73291)
Left-lung hypoplasia in congenital left diaphragmatic hernia: Congenital diaphragmatic herniation, Macro, autopsy (72442)
Right diaphragmatic herniation: Right side diaphragmatic herniation, Macro, autopsy (73267)