Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: Antenatal Sonographic Findings with Review of Literature

Background: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a defect in the diaphragm usually detected on a prenatal scan.The incidence is approximately 1:4,000 live births.The diaphragmatic defect is frequently left and posterolateral (Bochdalek).Surgical repair is possible and easier in neonates; however, the mortality remains high because of pulmonary hypoplasia and pulmonary vascular changes.The likely course of outcome of this condition, largely depends on lung volume on the contralateral side.Purpose: The aim of antenatal imaging is for early detection.This study presents different cases of CDH along with their imaging features on 2D and 3D ultrasonography.Assessment in tertiary care centers would help in identifying the prognostic factors which aid in planning antenatal management.When a defect is identified by ultrasound before 25 weeks of gestation, a careful ultrasound scan may suggest features that have an isolated diaphragmatic abnormality and a great chance of survival.Materials and methods: About 4 cases were evaluated during the second trimester or anomaly scan over a period of 1 year.The scans were conducted between 24 and 30 weeks of gestation and referred to the Department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging by the consulting obstetrician.On imaging the presence of an abdominal organ, most likely the stomach, within the fetal chest directs the diagnosis toward CDH.On fourchamber view of heart, the stomach is seen just behind the left atrium and ventricle in the lower thorax in a left-sided CDH.