Chilaiditi syndrome as a cause of respiratory distress

Chilaiditi syndrome is the interposition of the colon between the diaphragma and the liver. In general, patients are asymptomatic, but some patients have been associated with gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms. A 5-month-old infant boy was admitted to the hospital with a history of cough, cyanosis and recurrent respiratory distress that had persisted during the preceding 2 months. The chest X-ray revealed an elevation of the right hemidiaphragma caused by the presence of a dilated colonic loop below. Computed tomography showed a hepatodiaphragmatic interposition of the colon, leading to the diagnosis of Chilaiditi syndrome. The patient was conservatively treated with oxygen, fluid supplementation and stool softeners. We conclude that this rare syndrome should be kept in mind when young patients present with recurrent respiratory distress. © Springer-Verlag 2006.