Gastric volvulus through Morgagni hernia and intestinal diverticulosis in an adult patient: a case report

Morgagni’s hernia (MH) is an uncommon birth defect accounting for about 3% of all congenital diaphragmatic hernias, with substantial morbidity and mortality [1]. It is a result of abdominal contents entering the thoracic cavity through an antero-medial defect of the diaphragm and is usually diagnosed early in life [2]. MH rarely presents with gastric volvulus [3], which is the abnormal torsion of the stomach along its longitudinal or horizontal axis [4]. Another unusual incidence of MH is with small bowel diverticulosis (SBD). SBD is characterized by multiple sac like mucosal out-pouchings through weak points in the intestinal wall [5]. Here we describe a case report where gastric volvulus was herniating through the foramen of Morgagni and the patient had concurrent SBD. To the best of our knowledge such a case has never been reported previously.

A 30-year-old female presented with complaints of epigastric burning and indigestion for 1 year, which was occasionally associated with pain and vomiting. On a previous oesophago-gastroduodenoscopy, multiple oesophageal ulcers were noted, located from 30 to 35 cm and the mucosa was seen to be circumferentially hyperaemic. Upon investigation, chest and abdominal X-ray showed abnormal air-fluid level at right hemithorax as shown in Fig. 1. Computed Tomography (CT) scan demonstrated organo-axial gastric volvulus accompanied with right hemi-diaphragm elevation and a slight mediastinal shift to the left, with gastric bubble above the diaphragm (Fig. 2), and sections through the lower chest showed mild bilateral pleural effusion with basal atelectasis of the right lower lobe. The small and large bowel loops were unremarkable and there was no evidence of bowel obstruction.

An elective laparotomy was performed through a midline incision. Stomach was not seen in the abdominal cavity, but pull on the gastrocolic ligament revealed the greater curvature of the stomach through foramen of Morgagni in the right hemi-diaphragm, with the defect measuring 4 × 5 cm (Fig. 3). The hernia was reduced, with excision of the hernial sac and the defect was repaired using a size zero non-absorbable polypropylene suture—no mesh was placed. Since there was a high jejunal repair, a gastrostomy was created which served to secure the stomach in place. Following the reduction of hernia, on further exploration, multiple diverticuli were observed in the small and large intestine (Fig. 4). Interestingly, these were unremarkable on CT scan. Only the largest and most proximal jejunal diverticulum (Fig. 5), which was about 6 cm in size, was resected using a linear stapler as it had a narrow neck. A pelvic drain was placed and the wound was closed in layers using absorbable polyglactin suture. Figure 6 exhibits the normal anatomy and a schematic diagram of this case depicting the presence of gastric volvulus through MH on the right side. The postoperative period was uneventful and the patient was discharged on the 10th post-operative day. The patient was stable and asymptomatic on follow up after one month, and she is doing well as of writing of this report. ‘Timeline for Case Report’ in Additional file 1 represents the events of this case in a chronologic order.

MH is the rarest form of congenital diaphragmatic hernia which occurs through a developmental defect as a result of failure of fusion between the sternal and costal portions of the muscle [6]. Usually it occurs on the right side where it contains the omentum, followed by colon and small intestine [7]. Conversely, left-sided hernias commonly bear the stomach as reported by a review done in India [8]. Our case however, presented with a right sided hernia associated with gastric volvulus. These hernias are congenital in origin, but an acquired increase in abdominal pressures such as vomiting or coughing can cause true herniation [8]. MH may present with acute symptoms usually caused by respiratory distress or volvulus of its contents; it can also be detected incidentally with mild generic respiratory/bowel symptoms [8]. It is interesting to note that our case presented with enteric symptoms only, despite having lung abnormalities which were found on the CT scan.

Diagnosis of MH is facilitated by chest x-ray, abdominal x-rays, barium studies or ultrasound, but currently CT scan is the diagnostic modality of choice [9]. The scans must include sections through the lower chest as well as the abdomen to determine the extent of the hernia [1]. Treatment is primarily based on surgical repair [9], even if the hernia sac only contains the omentum [10], and trans-abdominal approach with interrupted non-absorbable sutures is widely preferred [9]. Nevertheless, recent advances in thoracoscopic [9] and laparoscopic [3, 9] techniques offer innovative approaches to its management [9]. In fact, laparoscopy has been concluded as the gold standard procedure for uncomplicated MH [11]. In addition to being minimally invasive, it offers better visualization of the surgical field, easy manipulation and accessibility, aesthetic benefit, fewer complications and faster recovery of the patient [10]. Several laparoscopic techniques are being practiced, which include primary closure of the defect with different variety of intra-corporeal sutures, staples or mesh [12], but no single technique has been advocated as ideal. We opted for an open surgical approach due to limitation of resources and required surgical expertise for laparoscopic repair of MH.

Literature revealed very few cases of gastric volvulus into the foramen of Morgagni, with presenting features in most cases being hematemesis, melena, abdominal bloating, and vomiting [10, 13]. Gastric volvulus occurs in conditions which increase the laxity of structures supporting the stomach, such as pyloric stenosis, pyloric hypertrophy or chronic gastric distension [10]. Several predisposing factors, such as hiatal or incisional hernias, eventration of the diaphragm, trauma, surgical injury, gastric ulcers and neoplasms, are found in about half of the patients who present with this disease [3]. Similarly in this case, the CT scan indicated diaphragmatic eventration associated with organo-axial rotation of the herniated stomach. This type of volvulus is more commonly associated with MH than its mesentro-axial counterpart [3]. The definitive treatment of gastric volvulus is gastropexy where the stomach is fixed to the diaphragm and/or anterior abdominal wall either through a laparoscopic or an open abdominal approach [4].

In order to prevent recurrences of gastric volvulus, a temporary gastrostomy may be added to act as a diversion thereby protecting the high jejunal repair and to fix the stomach to the anterior abdominal wall, serving as a gastropexy. The location of gastrostomy tube is essential, as recurrence of volvulus has been reported after gastrostomy, acting as two fixed points of the axis [14]. Literature search revealed that Bhasin endoscopically reduced a chronic gastric volvulus in 10 patients without performing any percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement, but on follow up, 3 cases eventually recurred and required surgical treatment [15]. It emphasizes the significance of adding a gastrostomy tube while managing gastric volvulus. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy has an added advantage for patients who have difficulties with oral intake [16] thus permitting the fixation of the stomach together with provision of enteral nutrition.

SBD occurs due to abnormal peristalsis resulting from motor dysfunction of the gut. It is more frequently confined to the proximal jejunum and distal ileum due to a wider diameter of vasa recta in these segments [5]. Clinically the disease is asymptomatic until it presents with complications which are determined by performing a diagnostic laparoscopy [5]. Complications like perforation, abscess and mechanical obstruction identified on laparoscopy, are managed by an exploratory laparotomy allowing diverticulectomy with resection of the diseased bowel and performing primary anastomosis [17].

In conclusion, MH along with gastric volvulus and small bowel diverticulosis is a rare occurrence, and may not be identified clinically; meticulous analysis of CT scan followed by surgical exploration allows definitive diagnosis. Hernia closure using non-absorbable sutures along with gastropexy and diverticulectomy yields good results with no major sequelae.