Chilaiditi’s sign: a case report

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.1594372410048

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• Abstract:

  Chilaiditi's sign is a fortuitous and rare imaging finding, more common in males. It has a low incidence, being a finding present in around 0.1 to 0.25% of chest x-rays and in 2.4% of computed tomography scans. This sign consists of the temporary or permanent interposition of the colon or small intestine in the hepatodiaphragmatic space in asymptomatic patients. In those cases, in which the patient presents any symptoms, such as abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, retrosternal pain, respiratory symptoms, abdominal distension, intestinal obstruction or sub-occlusion, we call it Chilaiditi Syndrome. The cause is still unknown, but is probably multifactorial. In most cases, the approach is conservative. As it is a rare entity and difficult to diagnose, the importance of carrying out a good anamnesis and a good physical examination is highlighted, associated with the finding of interposition of the colon or small intestine in the hepatodiaphragmatic space, so that it is possible to diagnosis and exclusion of other possible differential diagnoses.