TITLE:
Radiofrequency Ablation-Associated Delayed Diaphragmatic Hernia Treated with the Thoracolaparotomy Approach: A Case Report
AUTHORS:
Hiroaki Yamane, Toshihiko Kohashi, Ichiro Omori, Akira Nakashima, Eisuke Murakami, Koji Waki, Hidenori Mukaida, Naoki Hirabayashi
KEYWORDS:
Diaphragmatic Hernia, Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Radiofrequency Ablation
JOURNAL NAME:
Case Reports in Clinical Medicine,
Vol.5 No.12,
December
26,
2016
ABSTRACT: Background: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an effective treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, rare but serious complications may occur after RFA. We describe a case of diaphragmatic hernia associated with RFA. Case Presentation: A 68-year-old man with a history of hepatitis C-related liver cirrhosis was admitted to our hospital because of lower abdominal pain. Three years earlier, he underwent RFA for HCC in segment 8. Computed tomography revealed that the intestine was intruding into the right thoracic cavity through a diaphragmatic hernia. On the basis of the diagnosis of right diaphragmatic hernia with a strangulated ileus, an emergency operation was performed. Perforation of the strangulated transverse colon into the right thoracic cavity was suspected, and a combined approach of laparotomy and thoracotomy was utilized. The operative findings showed that the diaphragmatic hernia was 3.5 × 2.0 cm in diameter, and it was simply sutured with a nonabsorbable suture material. Resection of the intruded ischemic transverse colon was completed, and a covering ileostomy was performed. The patient was discharged without any complications. Conclusions: RFA is widely used for the treatment of HCC. Reports of early- and late-phase complications indicate that heat damage contributes to the fragility of neighboring organs. The occurrence of diaphragmatic hernia after RFA is one of the delayed complications. Although it rarely occurs, this complication requires emergency surgery. In conclusion, if perforation of the intestine into the thoracic cavity is suspected, thoracolaparotomy should be considered as a treatment option to prevent postoperative massive empyema.