Congenital peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia and concurrent congenital lobar emphysema in a dog

Abstract An 11‐week‐old, female Dachshund was referred for suspected peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia. Thoracic computed tomography confirmed a peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia and showed a hypoattenuating cranial part of the left cranial lung lobe, which was initially concluded to be secondary to moderate bronchial compression due to the mass effect from the peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia and resultant air trapping. Herniorrhaphy was performed. However, the patient remained tachypnoeic after the surgery. Repeated thoracic computed tomography and radiographs revealed persistent lobar emphysema within the cranial part of the left cranial lung lobe. Lung lobectomy was subsequently performed in a second operation. Histopathological results of the lung parenchyma were consistent with primary congenital lobar emphysema. The patient was discharged 3 days after the second operation and was clinically well on 1‐year follow‐up. Congenital peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia has not been previously reported with concurrent congenital lobar emphysema.