Intrapericardial Liver Herniation Associated with Massive Pericardial
Effusion and Horseshoe Kidney Anomaly

Atilla SENAYLI1, Fazlı DEMİRTÜRK2, Ahmet ÇALIŞKAN2, Altay  ELALMIŞ3, Ünal BIÇAKÇI1, Hakan AYTAN2
İstanbul-Turkey

A rare type of diaphragm herniation, intrapericardial liver herniation associated with massive pericardial effusion and horseshoe kidney anomaly is reported. A 24-years-old, primigravid woman with 32 weeks of gestation was admitted for the first time for control. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia was diagnosed. Infant was operated after diagnostic work-up in the second week of her life. At thoracotomy herniation of the liver into the pericardium was observed. The defect was repaired with a polypropylene mesh; however, unfortunately patient died at the post operative 45th day. Intrapericardial liver herniation with pericardial effusion is a rare condition which is difficult to differentiate from some other thoracic cystic lesions. This kind of herniation must be kept in mind when an intrathoracic cystic lesion is evaluated.
(Gynecol Obstet Reprod Med 2006; 12:143-144)

Key Words: Intrapericardial diaphragmatic hernia, Pericardial cyst, Thymic cyst, Bronchial cyst, Horseshoe kidney disease