brand logo

Am Fam Physician. 2010;82(8):971-972

Author disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

A 76-year-old, physically active woman presented for an annual physical examination. Chest radiography revealed a large right cardiophrenic mass (Figures 1 and 2). The patient had no remarkable medical history or physical examination findings. She had no history of tobacco use, fever, night sweats, anorexia, weight loss, shortness of breath, or dyspnea with exertion.

Question

Based on the patient's history, physical examination, and radiographs, which one of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

Discussion

The answer is C: Morgagni hernia. A Morgagni hernia is a congenital diaphragmatic hernia and is not usually associated with other congenital anomalies.1 Morgagni hernias result from the failure of the sternal and costal components of the diaphragm to fuse during embryogenesis. The condition represents 3 percent of all diaphragmatic hernias and is more common in women.2 Most patients are asymptomatic, but the condition may be identified incidentally on chest radiographs. Occasionally, Morgagni hernias cause nonspecific cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, or respiratory symptoms.3

The hernias are always right-sided and located in the anterior cardiophrenic sulcus.2 More than 90 percent of cases have hernia sacs, which may involve the omentum, colon, stomach, and small intestine. Classic radiographic findings include a homogeneous, rounded soft tissue opacity in the right cardiophrenic angle. A lateral chest radiograph is needed to show the anterior location of the opacity. Although rare, an air-fluid level within the opacity is considered pathognomonic of a Morgagni hernia. Computed tomography can be diagnostic in more than 80 percent of patients by showing fat and omental vessels or abdominal viscera within the soft tissue mass.4 Once the condition is diagnosed, patients should be referred for reduction of the herniated organs and surgical repair of the anatomic defect.5

Carcinoma of the lung usually obscures bronchovascular markings and appears on radiography as an irregular or spiculated mass. Atelectasis, lymphadenopathy, or pleural effusion may be an associated finding.

Diaphragmatic eventration is nonparalytic weakening of the hemidiaphragm. It is usually partial and involves the anteromedial portion of the right hemidiaphragm. Radiography shows elevation of the affected area of the diaphragm, and the common pattern is a smooth hump along the contour of the diaphragm.6

Pericardial cysts are anomalous outpouchings of parietal pericardium. On radiography, the cysts are smoothly marginated masses touching the heart, particularly at the right anterior cardiophrenic angle. Pericardial cysts are sometimes difficult to distinguish from Morgagni hernias. Computed tomography or ultrasonography can demonstrate the cystic nature of the lesions.7

Enlarged pericardial fat pads are associated with Cushing syndrome, corticosteroid therapy, and obesity. They often occupy the right cardiophrenic angle. Although the fat pads may obliterate the angle, the cardiac and diaphragmatic borders are usually visible. The density of fat pads is not as great as that of Morgagni hernias, and their margins are not as sharply delineated.

ConditionCharacteristics
CarcinomaIrregular or spiculated mass with obscured lung markings; possibly associated atelectasis, lymphadenopathy, or pleural effusion
Diaphragmatic eventrationElevation of the affected area of the diaphragm; smooth hump along the contour of the diaphragm
Morgagni herniaHomogeneous, rounded mass in the right anterior cardiophrenic angle; air-fluid level within the mass is considered pathognomonic
Pericardial cystAnomalous outpouching of parietal pericardium; smoothly marginated mass touching the heart
Pericardial fat padAssociated with Cushing syndrome, corticosteroid therapy, and obesity; density not as great and margins not as sharply defined as those of Morgagni hernia or pericardial cysts

The editors of AFP welcome submissions for Photo Quiz. Guidelines for preparing and submitting a Photo Quiz manuscript can be found in the Authors' Guide at https://www.aafp.org/afp/photoquizinfo. To be considered for publication, submissions must meet these guidelines. Email submissions to afpphoto@aafp.org.

This series is coordinated by John E. Delzell Jr., MD, MSPH, associate medical editor.

A collection of Photo Quiz published in AFP is available at https://www.aafp.org/afp/photoquiz

Continue Reading


More in AFP

More in PubMed

Copyright © 2010 by the American Academy of Family Physicians.

This content is owned by the AAFP. A person viewing it online may make one printout of the material and may use that printout only for his or her personal, non-commercial reference. This material may not otherwise be downloaded, copied, printed, stored, transmitted or reproduced in any medium, whether now known or later invented, except as authorized in writing by the AAFP.  See permissions for copyright questions and/or permission requests.