Changes

==Description==

==Description==

[[Image:stomach diaphragmatic hernia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Post-mortem image of displacement of the stomach into the thorax through a diaphragmatic rupture (Sourced from BioMed Image Archive)]]

[[Image:stomach diaphragmatic hernia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Post-mortem image of displacement of the stomach into the thorax through a diaphragmatic rupture (Sourced from BioMed Image Archive)]]

Rupture of the diaphragm is an acquired condition that often has a traumatic origin in small animals.  The rupture is not a true hernia as the parietal peritoneum is disrupted and displaced organs are not contained within a defined hernial sac.  Most cases occur in animals which have suffered blunt abdominal trauma with an open glottis, most commonly during a road traffic accident (RTA).  If the animal has a closed glottis at the moment of impact, the lung parenchyma is more likely to rupture.  Any of the peritoneal abdominal organs may move into the thorax, of which the most commonly herniated are the liver and small intestine.  In some cases, the stomach may be displaced into the thorax and, as its outflow is disrupted, it may become dilated and filled with gas.  This situation requires urgent surgical intervention.  Affected animals often have other injuries associated with the traumatic event, including:

Rupture of the diaphragm is an acquired condition that often has a traumatic origin in small animals.  The rupture is not a true [[Hernia|hernia]] as the parietal peritoneum is disrupted and displaced organs are not contained within a defined hernial sac.  Most cases occur in animals which have suffered blunt abdominal trauma with an open glottis, most commonly during a road traffic accident (RTA).  If the animal has a closed glottis at the moment of impact, the lung parenchyma is more likely to rupture.  Any of the peritoneal abdominal organs may move into the thorax, of which the most commonly herniated are the liver and small intestine.  In some cases, the stomach may be displaced into the thorax and, as its outflow is disrupted, it may become dilated and filled with gas.  This situation requires urgent surgical intervention.  Affected animals often have other injuries associated with the traumatic event, including:

*'''Thoracic injuries'''

*'''Thoracic injuries'''

**Pulmonary contusion

**Pulmonary contusion