Latent post-traumatic diaphragmatic hernia as a cause of sudden death in an older adult

Abstract

We present the case of a 60 year old alcoholic male who died suddenly. He had a history of having had a major fall 11 months before, suffering only external trauma. However a forensic autopsy found a trauma diaphragmatic hernia and the stomach volvulized inside the chest cavity.

Diaphragmatic hernia is an infrequent complication of thoraco-abdominal trauma, that could be latent during a long period of time, without symptoms and in an elderly patient could go unnoticed. The hernia could show itself suddenly, in the worst case even with death. A review of the literature shows the exceptionality of a traumatic event as a cause of sudden, unexpected death.