Chilaiditi's Sign and Syndrome (Hepatodiaphragmatic Interposition of the Large Bowel)

 

Prolonged therapy with a psychotropic medication may be a risk factor for the interposition.

 

If the finding is incidental and not causing symptoms, then it is refered to as Chilaiditi's sign.

 

The presence of the symptoms due to the colonic location is called Chilaiditi's syndrome. Signs and symptoms may include:

(1) abdominal pain

(2) constipation

(3) abdominal distention

(4) nausea and vomiting

(5) anorexia

 

The patient may also develop complete bowel obstruction due to volvulus.

 

The appearance on abdominal X-ray may be misinterpreted as pneumoperitoneum.