Abstract

The presentation of a traumatic hernia of the diaphragm can be within minutes or hours, even after days, months or years following the precipitating trauma. A 34-year-old man presented with some symptoms 4 years after having a stab wound to his left thoraco-abdominal region and was diagnosed as having delayed presentation of traumatic hernia of the diaphragm. Most important point in the diagnosis of a such condition is the consideration of a possibility in the differantial diagnosis. The diagnosis is often difficult in the late phase since the history of trauma can easily be underestimated.