The prevalence of Chilaiditi's syndrome in patients with liver cirrhosis

Chilaiditi's syndrome, which is interposition of colon between liver and right hemidiaphragm, is not a common radiological finding in the normal population. It is frequently observed in patients with chronic lung disease, asthenic syndrome and in multipar females. The real prevalence of Chilaiditi's syndrome in patients with liver cirrhosis is unknown. Probable contributing factors are: (a) liver atrophy in patients with postnecrotic cirrhosis, (b) an enlarged lower thoracic outlet because of ascites, and (c) increased intracolonic pressure. This study includes 89 patients with liver cirrhosis with ascites (of whom 79 had HBV and 10 had HCV; 58 men, 31 women; mean age : 41.2 years) and 67 healthy individuals (44 men, 25 women; mean age: 43.2 years). The diagnosis of Chilaiditi's syndrome was performed by plain abdominal X-Ray, abdominal ultrasonography and abdominal CT. While the prevalence of Chilaiditi's syndrome was established to be 3.2% in patients with liver cirrhosis with ascites, it was found to be 0% in the healthy individuals. In conclusion, Chilaiditi's syndrome can be observed in patients with liver cirrhosis.