Diaphragmatic hernia physical examination

Diaphragmatic hernia Main page
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Differentiating Diaphragmatic hernia from other Diseases
Epidemiology
Risk factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Radiological tests
Treatment
Medical treatment
Surgical treatment

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ahmed Younes M.B.B.CH [2]

Overview

Patients with CDH usually appears cyanotic and in acute distress. Physical examination of patients with CDH is usually remarkable for scaphoid abdomen, barrel shaped chest, and peristaltic sounds in the chest.

Physical Examination

General appearance

• A neonate with CDH usually appears cyanotic and in acute distress.

Vital signs

• Heart rate: tachycardia
• Respiratory rate: tachypnea
• Blood pressure: The infant may have hypotension due to compression of the ventricles

Lungs

• The chest may have a barrel shape.
• Absent breath sounds at the side of the hernia
• Peristaltic sounds in the chest

Heart

• The heart sounds may be displaced to the other side of the chest.
• The heart sounds may reveal the murmurs of associated cardiac anomalies.

Abdomen

• The abdomen is scaphoid due to herniation of the abdominal content into the thoracic cavity.