TORSION OF THE SPLEEN - UNUSUAL PRESENTAT ION OF CONGENITAL LEFT DIAPHRAGMATIC-HERNIA

Background. - Late-recognized congenital left diaphragmatic hernia may have a bad prognosis when it is revealed by perforation or volvulus o f the herniated viscera. Case report. - A 20 month-old boy was admitte d for vomiting and abdominal pain. X-rays showed left diaphragmatic he rnia and the patient was operated on with the diagnosis of volvulus of the stomach. Surgery showed hernia through the posterolateral segment s of the diaphragm with spleen volvulus into the sac, requiring splene ctomy before reduction of the hernia and closure of the diaphragmatic defect. Conclusion. - This is the fifth report of ectopic intrathoraci c spleen with volvulus revealing congenital left diaphragmatic hernia.