Incidental right-sided diaphragmatic eventration after blunt thoracoabdominal trauma

[...]we discharged him from the hospital on the eleventh day post-admission with no further complications. According to the history, physical examination, and radiological investigations, the possible diagnosis is right-sided hemothorax, lung contusion, elevated right hemidiaphragm due to subpulmonic effusion, diaphragmatic eventration, phrenic nerve injury, or even diaphragmatic rupture. Multiplanar CT can diagnose the condition accurately, although some authorities suggest thoracoscopy or laparoscopy as a gold standard.5 Fluoroscopy and a sniff test may be considered to diagnose diaphragmatic paralysis, and real-time ultrasonography may be useful in determining partial eventration and differentiating it from diaphragmatic nerve interruption.4 If the patient is unstable and goes to the theater for hemorrhage control, the surgeon may attempt plication of the diaphragm if the situation allows, but in a damage control situation, the surgeon can defer the procedure.