Intrathoracic kidney and liver secondary to congenital diaphragmatic hernia recognized by transthoracic echocardiography

Although congenital defects of the diaphragm often occur in the period immediately following birth, 10–20% of these cases are diagnosed later. Diaphragmatic hernia with intrathoracic kidney is very rare. The radiographic appearance of diaphragmatic hernia with a thoracic kidney is similar to posterior mediastinal masses. Chest computed tomography (CT) is an important and efficient tool in confirming the diagnosis. We reported a 28-year-old man who suffered from nonspecific chest tightness for 1 month. He denied a history of traumatic chest injury. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a left posterior reniform mass with central echo complex, which was finally confirmed by contrast-enhanced chest CT to be a congenital intrathoracic kidney.