Post-Traumatic Diaphragmatic Rupture: A Case Report

Abstract: Traumatic rupture of the left diaphragmatic dome with herniation of abdominal organs into the thoracic cavity is a rare but serious injury. It is frequently associated with polytrauma and considered a marker of injury severity. Whether diagnosed early or late, this condition exposes the patient to significant cardiopulmonary complications due to thoracic compression. The diagnosis of diaphragmatic rupture remains challenging, as clinical signs are often nonspecific and imaging may be misleading—while it can visualize herniated organs, identifying the diaphragmatic defect itself is more difficult. Advancements in spatial resolution with multidetector computed tomography (CT) have significantly enhanced preoperative diagnostic accuracy. We report the case of a traumatic left diaphragmatic rupture with intrathoracic herniation of digestive organs, diagnosed in a polytrauma patient.