Evaluation of pediatric diaphragmatic eventration using dynamic chest radiography: A case report

Abstract

Introduction

Diagnosis of diaphragmatic disease using dynamic chest radiography (DCR), a novel imaging testing modality has been previously reported in adults; however, there have been no prior reports of its use in pediatric patients. Herein, we report the novel case of a 14-year-old girl diagnosed with diaphragmatic eventration (DE) using DCR with extremely low-dose pulsed X-rays.

Case series

A 14-year-old girl with pectus excavatum was referred to our hospital for surgery. Pre-operative chest radiography revealed that the right diaphragm was higher than the left however, this difference was judged to be within the normal range. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a Haller index of 3.00. Although the patient had no symptoms, she complained of an unsatisfactory appearance, which was considered an indication for surgery. The Nuss procedure was performed under artificial pneumothorax, and DE was not suspected. Six months after surgery, we performed DCR instead of chest radiographs to evaluate the position of the bar and the patient's respiratory status. Utilizing the captured images, we further measured and analyzed the diaphragm movement. DCR revealed a clear impairment of diaphragmic movement on the affected side, and the patient was subsequently diagnosed with DE. However, as she was asymptomatic, we decided to follow up conservatively.

Conclusion

This is the first report of DCR in a pediatric patient. DCR appears to be a useful tool for the diagnosis of diaphragmatic eventration in children.