Spontaneous diaphragmatic rupture in a case of muscular dystrophy misdiagnosed as pneumothorax – Case report.

Abstract Introduction: Diaphragmatic rupture is almost always iatrogenic with variable presentation. It should be diagnosed with a high suspicion index in blunt thoracic trauma cases. Muscular dystrophy is associated with diaphragmatic muscle weakness. Spontaneous pneumothorax is also common in cases of muscular dystrophy which might be asymptomatic. The authors here describe a case of a 9-year-old male child who presented with a semi-acute diaphragmatic hernia that was misdiagnosed as pneumothorax and a faulty chest drain insertion was done in a background of chronic muscular dystrophy which was later repaired. The knowledge of muscular dystrophy and its varied presentation including the rare presentation of spontaneous diaphragmatic rupture (SDR) is very important to the clinicians to have a high index of suspicion in treating such patients. To conclude a placement of the ryles’ tube before placing an intercostal drainage would have prevented the misdiagnosis of the pneumothorax.