Imaging of Diaphragm Injuries

Diaphragm injuries are uncommon consequences of blunt and penetrating trauma. Early diagnosis and repair prevent potentially devastating complications that typically result from visceral herniation through the posttraumatic diaphragm defect. Although clinical and radiographic manifestations frequently are nonspecific, the stalwarts of trauma imaging—chest radiography and CT—typically demonstrate these injuries. To render the appropriate diagnosis, the radiologist must be familiar with the varied imaging manifestations of injury, and maintain a high index of suspicion within the appropriate clinical setting.