# Chilaiditi's Syndrome: An Unusual Cause of Acute Respiratory Distress

## TL;DR

Chilaiditi's Syndrome, a rare condition where the bowel sits between the liver and diaphragm, can cause severe breathing issues and chest pain, often mistaken for more serious conditions.

## Contribution

This case report highlights Chilaiditi's Syndrome as a rare but treatable cause of acute respiratory distress and chest pain.

## Key findings

- Chilaiditi's Syndrome can present with acute respiratory distress and retrosternal pain.
- The syndrome is often misdiagnosed as pulmonary embolism or myocardial infarction.
- Most cases are treatable with conservative management.

## Abstract

Chilaiditi's syndrome is characterized by hepatodiaphragmatic interposition of the bowel, usually colon, with associated symptoms. Occasionally, affected individuals may experience acute respiratory distress and retrosternal pain which can mimic life‐threatening conditions like pulmonary embolism and myocardial infarction. This case report underscores the need for clinicians to be aware of this rare syndrome as it is amenable to conservative treatment in most instances.