CT recognition of traumatic rupture of the diaphragm

Diaphragmatic rupture complicating blunt trauma is often not promptly recognized after injury. Early diagnosis is compromised by lack of specific clinical and plain film radiologic findings or the presence of numerous injuries which may confuse the clinical and radiologic evaluation. We report a case of diaphragmatic rupture demonstrated by computed tomography (CT) 4 days after injury. We believe this to be the first reported case in which CT scanning provided a specific diagnosis of diaphragmatic rupture which led to prompt operative treatment.