# An Overlooked Case of Abdominal Pain and Bowel Dysfunction: Chilaiditi Syndrome

**Authors:** William Adili, Corey Mumaw, Harthik Kambhampati, Carter R Olberding, Michael Herman

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.81638 · Cureus · 2025-04-03

## TL;DR

This paper describes a rare condition called Chilaiditi syndrome, where the colon sits between the liver and diaphragm, causing abdominal pain and bowel issues.

## Contribution

The paper presents a case study highlighting the diagnostic challenges and conservative treatment of Chilaiditi syndrome.

## Key findings

- Chilaiditi syndrome can be managed with conservative measures like dietary changes and fiber supplementation.
- Imaging studies are crucial for diagnosing Chilaiditi syndrome and avoiding unnecessary procedures.
- The condition is often misdiagnosed due to nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms.

## Abstract

Chilaiditi syndrome is an uncommon and often misdiagnosed condition characterized by the interposition of the colon between the liver and diaphragm, leading to symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating, and bowel dysfunction. Risk factors include chronic constipation, anatomical variations, and diaphragmatic dysfunction. This report presents the case of a 67-year-old male with right upper quadrant discomfort exacerbated by stool retention. Imaging studies ruled out acute pathology for critical conditions but demonstrated colonic interposition suggestive of Chilaiditi syndrome. Management provided consisted of conservative measures including dietary modifications and fiber supplementation, alleviating his symptoms without necessitating invasive procedures. This report emphasizes the importance of recognizing radiographic findings and risk factors of Chilaiditi syndrome in patients with nonspecific gastrointestinal complaints to avoid unnecessary medical interventions.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** Chilaiditi syndrome (MONDO:0043343)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** diaphragmatic dysfunction (MESH:D056989), Bowel Dysfunction (MESH:D015212), Abdominal Pain (MESH:D015746), chronic constipation (MESH:D003248), Chilaiditi Syndrome (MESH:D059269)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

1 figure with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12048822/full.md

## References

8 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12048822/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12048822