Late return of function after intrathoracic torsion of the spleen in congenital diaphragmatic hernia

A case of late presentation of a left posterolateral diaphragmatic hernia in a four-year-old boy is reported. Shortly after incidental diagnosis of the diaphragmatic hernia, he was admitted with acute abdominal symptoms and laparotomy was performed. The stomach, small intestine, part of the colon, and the spleen were intrathoracic. There was a 720 degree torsion of the splenic pedicle. After reduction, the spleen was placed in the abdomen. At scintiscans 12 days and 14 weeks after operation, no certain splenic function was demonstrated, but at follow-up up 21/2 years later the splenic scan was normal.