Hiatal Hernia with Complications
of Gastric Volvulus
Josué
Zapata, HMS III
Gillian Lieberman, MD
January 25, 2010
Radiology Core Clerkship, BIDMC
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Agenda
• Patient Report: DB
• Differential diagnosis
• Anatomy Review
• What is a hiatal hernia?
• Importance of proper diagnosis
• Menu of tests
• Radiologic examples
• Return to diagnose DB
• Resolution of case
• Review
Patient Report
• HPI:
DB is an 89 year old woman complaining
of several days of nausea, vomiting, and
retrosternal “heaviness”
following meals
• Has been unable to tolerate liquids or solids
since symptoms began
• Now experiencing some episodes of acute
pain
Patient Report
• PMH:
known hiatal hernia, HTN, A. fib, CAD, DM
• PSH:
Aortic valve replacement, ORIF R hip
• Meds:
Non‐contributory
• Vitals:
T: 100.0 HR: 89 BP: 124/67 RR: 20 02sat: 95%
on RA
• Focused Physical Exam:
No rebound
tenderness/guarding, +BS
Exhaustive Differential Diagnosis
• Myocardial Infarction
• Aortic Dissection
• Pulmonary Embolism
• GERD
• Achalasia
• Diffuse esophageal spasm
• Scleroderma
• Chagas Disease
• Esophageal mass (neoplasm, foreign body, bezoar, Schatzki’s)
• Esophageal stricture or webs
• Diverticula (Zenker’s, Killian‐Jameson)
• Hiatal Hernia
Narrowed Differential Diagnosis
• Hiatal Hernia
• Achalasia
• Diffuse esophageal spasm
• Esophageal mass
• Esophageal stricture or webs
• Diverticula (Zenker’s, Killian‐Jameson)
For our teaching purposes we will
only be discussing what our patient
was ultimately found to have
DB’s Final Diagnosis
• Hiatal Hernia
• Achalasia
• Diffuse esophageal spasm
• Esophageal mass
• Esophageal stricture or webs
• Diverticula (Zenker’s, Killian‐Jameson)
Hiatal Hernia
Anatomy Review & BaSw: The Esophagus
-24 cm muscular
tube from
pharynx to
stomach
-Described as
“featureless”
-A Ring:
muscular ring at
tubulovestibular
junction
-B Ring: Marker
of GEJ
Slide courtesy of Jay Pahade, MD
BaSw Fluoroscopy
Anatomy Review: The Diaphragm
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-Muscle layer that
separates chest from
abdomen
-3 openings for the
esophagus, aorta, &
IVC
-Esophageal hiatus is
not perfectly tight so
contents can pass
through
Kahrilas,P. et Al. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2008; 22(4): 601-616.
Anatomy Review: The Stomach
http://www.histopathology-india.net/stomach.jpg
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Anatomy Review: Normal
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/presentations/100028_1.htm
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GEJ is held within the abdomen by diaphragmatic crus
Hiatal Hernia: The Basics
• Definition:
Herniation of abdominal contents through
the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm
• Thought to be due to muscle weakening and loss of
elasticity, particularly of phrenicoesophageal ligament
• Incidence increase with age, 60% of population over age
60 affected
• Four types categorized by anatomical relationships of
critical structures
– GEJ, Stomach, Diaphragmatic Hiatus, Other Viscera
Hiatal Hernias: Type I
• Sliding Hiatal Hernia (95%)
– GEJ 2 cm or more above the
diaphragmatic hiatus
– Clinically silent or presents
with GERD
– Places the LES in the thorax,
thus eliminating the
bolstering affect of the crura
and exposing the LES to
negative intrathoracic
pressure
– Dynamic action of swallowing
adds to difficulty of diagnosis
Abbara S. et Al. Intrathoracic Stomach Revisited. AJR 2003 181:403-414
Hiatal Hernias: Type II
• Paraesophageal or
Rolling Hiatal Hernia
– GEJ remains fixed in
proper location
– Part of stomach
herniates into the chest
– Clinically asymptomatic
or presents with
symptoms of substernal
pain, postprandial
fullness,
nausea/vomiting, and
SOB
Abbara S. et Al. Intrathoracic Stomach Revisited. AJR 2003 181:403-414
Hiatal Hernias: Type III
• Mixed Hiatal Hernia
– both GEJ and part of the
stomach herniates into
the chest
– Clinically asymptomatic
or presents with
symptoms of substernal
pain, postprandial
fullness,
nausea/vomiting, and
SOB
Abbara S. et Al. Intrathoracic Stomach Revisited. AJR 2003 181:403-414
Hiatal Hernias: Type IV
• Non‐Stomach Viscera
Herniates
– Some debate about
name, some believe this
is a variation of a type 2
or 3
– Clinically asymptomatic
or presents with
symptoms of substernal
pain, postprandial
fullness,
nausea/vomiting, and
SOB
Abbara S. et Al. Intrathoracic Stomach Revisited. AJR 2003 181:403-414
Hiatal Hernias: Management
• Type I
is either asymptomatic or
associated with GERD and if so, typically
responds to medical
management and is
only surgical in rare cases
• Types II‐IV
tend to expand over time and
have the ability to rotate and are therefore
typically reduced surgically
Type II‐IV Hiatal Hernias: Major
Complications
Visceral Rotation:
– This can cause Gastric Volvulus and
subsequent strangulation of the stomach
(33%)
• Surgical emergency due to potential for
ischemia
• Borchardt’s Triad:
Pain, Retching without
vomiting, Inability to pass NG tube (found in
70% of pts with strangulation)
Diagrams of Gastric Volvulus
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Mesenteroaxial Rotation
Organoaxial Rotation
- Most Common
Abbara S. et Al. Intrathoracic Stomach Revisited. AJR 2003 181:403-414
Menu of Tests for Imaging Hiatal Hernias
• BaSw: test of choice (see next slide)
• CT:
occasionally obtained to better characterize the
hernia in unclear cases or before surgery
• Plain Film:
diagnosis can be suggested by an air‐fluid
level in retrocardiac area on CXR or KUB
– Often an incidental finding given the high prevalence of
hiatal hernia
• Endoscopy
• Manometry
Imaging Modalities: Barium Swallow
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• Barium Swallow:
the study
of choice for initial
evaluation
– Often all that is needed
for diagnosis
– Double or single contrast
(BaSO4
NaHCO3
)
– Dynamic study done
with fluoroscopy
• Important because
GEJ moves with
swallowing
http://theodoregray.com/PeriodicTable/Elements/056/index.s7.html#sample3
How to evaluate the imaging
• Hiatal Hernia diagnosis is based on anatomy:
– Need to identify the GEJ, the stomach, and their
relationship to the diaphragmatic hiatus
– Use clues such as the contour of esophagus which
should be “featureless”
vs. rugae in stomach
– Type I: 2 cm rule‐
at least 2 cm between EGJ and
diaphragmatic hiatus to differentiate from
“physiologic herniation”
– Type II‐IV:
Gastric Volvulus‐
look for the NG tube,
distention, obstruction of flow, and inversion of
curvatures or other signs of rotation
Type I: Sliding Hiatal Hernia on BaSw
Kahrilas P. et Al Approaches to the Diagnosis and Grading of Hiatal Hernia. Best Pract Res Clin
Gastroenterol. 2008 22(4):601-616
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Gastric Rugae Diaphragm
BaSw fluoroscopy
Type II: Paraesophageal Hiatal
Hernia on CT
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NG Tube Illustrating
the path of the
esophagus and that
the GEJ is below the
diaphragm
Gastric Antrum is
protruding into the
thorax
Abbara S. et Al Intrathoracic Stomach Revisited. AJR 2003 181:403-414
CT Sagittal
Type III: Mixed Hiatal Hernia on BaSw
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GEJ is displaced
above the
diaphragm
A large part of the
stomach has
herniated as well
Rugal folds at
diaphragmatic
hiatus
Image Courtesy of Yiming Gao, MD
BaSw fluoroscopy
Type IV: Companion Pt 1 with Other
Viscera Herniating on BaSw
BaSw Fluoroscopy PACS, BIDMC
Hiatal Hernia
Colon has
also
herniated
Now let’s apply what we have
learned to our patient’s imaging
Our patient DB: Frontal CXR
Retrocardiac Air-fluid Level
The Stomach has herniated
across the diaphragm and is
now lying in the chest behind
the heart
PACS, BIDMCFrontal CXR
Our patient DB: Lateral CXR
Retrocardiac Air-fluid Level
The Stomach has
herniated across the
diaphragm and is now
lying in the chest behind
the heart
PACS, BIDMCLateral CXR
Our patient DB: Barium Swallow 1
NG Tube
Greater Curvature
Lesser Curvature
Duodenum
Body of
stomach
Antrum/Pylorus
GEJ
PACS, BIDMC
Inversion of curvatures
suggests organoaxial rotation
BaSw Fluoroscopy
Our Patient DB: Barium Swallow 2
Passage of
Barium to
small
intestine
No gastric
distention is
noted
PACS, BIDMCBaSw Fluoroscopy
Our Patient DB: Axial CT+
Contrast-filled
stomach next to
the right lung that
extends to the left
chest and back
below the
diaphragm
PACS, BIDMCAxial CT+
Our Patient DB: Sagittal CT+
Contrast filled
stomach in the
chest, resting on the
diaphragm
PACS, BIDMCSagittal CT+
Our patient DB: Coronal CT+
Stomach protruding
above the
diaphragm and into
the thoracic cavity
Part of the bowel
has also passed
through the
diaphragmatic hiatus
PACS, BIDMCCoronal CT+
Now let’s answer some questions
about our patient’s hiatal hernia
1. Is it a type I or a type II-IV?
Type II-IV (specifically II and IV), since we see that the
GEJ remains intra-abdominal while both the stomach
and another portion of bowel have herniated
2. Is there rotation or other signs of gastric
volvulus?
Yes. There is inversion of the greater and lesser
curvature along the axis of the stomach, making
this an organoaxial rotation. However, there is
also free passage of barium and the stomach is
not overly distended, indicating that no
obstruction currently exists.
Patient report
• DB was thought to have a Type II & IV hiatal hernia,
complicated by organoaxial rotation.
• These findings corroborate her clinical presentation
of retrosternal fullness, vomiting and pain.
• However, the easy passage of an NG tube, non‐
distended stomach, visualization of contrast in the
small bowel, and no rebound tenderness on physical
exam suggest that she does not yet have
strangulation of the stomach
Our Pt DB: Post‐Op Frontal CXR
• DB was thus a candidate
for surgery, but not an
emergent procedure
• The following day she
underwent a successful
laparoscopic repair of the
hiatal hernia
PACS, BIDMC
The stomach has
been retuned to its
anatomical
position beneath
the diaphragm
Free air
Frontal CXR
Review
• Hiatal Hernia: herniation of abdominal contents
through the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm
• Four types of Hiatal Hernias categorized by
anatomical relationships of critical structures
• Barium Swallow is the initial test of choice and often
all that is needed to diagnose
• Important to distinguish between Type I and Types
II‐IV because they have different management
• If Type II‐IV, look for volvulus and obstruction
Acknowledgements
• Dr. Ernie Yeh
• Dr. Jay Pahade
• Dr. Yiming Gao
• Maria Levantakis
References
1. Abbara S. et Al, Intrathoracic Stomach Revisited. AJR 2003 181:403-414
2. Canon, C. et Al, Surgical Approach to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: What the
Radiologist Needs to Know. Radiographics 2005; 25:1485-1499
3. Gordon, C. et Al, Review article: the role of the hiatus hernia in gastro-oesophageal
reflux disease. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2004; 20:719-732
4. Jang, KM et Al, The Spectrum of Benign Esophageal Lesions: Imaging Findings.
Korean J Radiol. 2002 199-210
5. Kahrilas, P. et Al, Approaches to the Diagnosis and Grading of Hiatal Hernia. Best
Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2008; 22(4) 601-616
6. Stylopoulous, N. Rattner, D., The History of Hiatal Hernia Surgery. Annals of
Surgery. 2005; 241:185-193
Images:
Kahrilas,P. et Al. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2008; 22(4): 601-616.
http://www.histopathology-india.net/stomach.jpg
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/presentations/100028_1.htm
http://theodoregray.com/PeriodicTable/Elements/056/index.s7.html#sample3
Abbara S. et Al. Intrathoracic Stomach Revisited. AJR 2003 181:403-414.
Hiatal Hernia with Complications of Gastric Volvulus
Agenda
Patient Report
Patient Report
Exhaustive Differential Diagnosis
Narrowed Differential Diagnosis
For our teaching purposes we will only be discussing what our patient was ultimately found to have
DB’s Final Diagnosis
Anatomy Review & BaSw: The Esophagus
Anatomy Review: The Diaphragm
Anatomy Review: The Stomach
Anatomy Review: Normal
Hiatal Hernia: The Basics
Hiatal Hernias: Type I
Hiatal Hernias: Type II
Hiatal Hernias: Type III
Hiatal Hernias: Type IV
Hiatal Hernias: Management
Type II-IV Hiatal Hernias: Major Complications
Diagrams of Gastric Volvulus
Menu of Tests for Imaging Hiatal Hernias
Imaging Modalities: Barium Swallow
How to evaluate the imaging
Type I: Sliding Hiatal Hernia on BaSw
Type II: Paraesophageal Hiatal Hernia on CT
Type III: Mixed Hiatal Hernia on BaSw
Type IV: Companion Pt 1 with Other Viscera Herniating on BaSw
Now let’s apply what we have learned to our patient’s imaging
Our patient DB: Frontal CXR
Our patient DB: Lateral CXR
Our patient DB: Barium Swallow 1
Our Patient DB: Barium Swallow 2
Our Patient DB: Axial CT+
Our Patient DB: Sagittal CT+
Our patient DB: Coronal CT+
Now let’s answer some questions about our patient’s hiatal hernia
Patient report
Our Pt DB: Post-Op Frontal CXR
Review
Acknowledgements
References