Diaphragmatic hernia as a rare complication of colonoscopy

RATIONALE Diaphragmatic Hernia is rare as complication of Colonoscopy. Diaphragmatic hernia as a complication of colonoscopy has been reported only few cases. Additionally, it is often misdiagnosed as other disease by clinicians due to their lack of related knowledge, which delays diagnosis of Diaphragmatic hernia and thus exacerbates the prognosis. PATIENT CONCERNS We report the case of a 66-year-old man with fecal occult blood. In the case, sudden epigastric pain after colonoscopy owing to diaphragmatic hernia in a left hemidiaphragm. DIAGNOSES The diagnoses made by a CT scan without delay. It showed marked protrusion of the large bowel into the left thoracic cavity along with elevation of the left diaphragm. INTERVENTIONS The diaphragmatic defect was repaired by simple closure and intestinal adhesions release surgery. OUTCOMES Five days after surgery, the patient was discharged in good condition. LESSONS Most of diaphragmatic hernia is congenital with high mortality. However, there are a few cases of Diaphragmatic hernia caused by previous trauma or surgery. We herein report an unusual case of diaphragmatic hernia related to colonoscopy but usually life-threatening complication.