Congenital diaphragmatic hernia in dromedary foetuses

Abstract

In the present study, congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) was observed in two dromedary foetuses, born full term in the same year at the interval of one month. The first case was a still born male foetus having an opening in the diaphragm at left posterolateral aspect from which portion of small intestine along with stomach and spleen covered within a thin membranous sac were found protruded in thoracic cavity. The lungs were hypoplastic and herniated portion of small intestine showed severe congestion. The histopathology of lung revealed atelectasis and liver showed ballooning degeneration of hepatocytes with congestion. The second case was a female calf born at full term but died shortly after birth. The necropsy of this foetus revealed complete absence of diaphragm (diaphragmatic aplasia) and portions of small and large intestine were found free in the thoracic cavity. Grossly, the lungs were small in size but cranial lobes showed emphysema. Histopathology of lung also revealed emphysema, kidney showed congestion of glomerular capillaries and liver showed ballooning degeneration of hepatocytes. The etiology for the defect was suspected to be extrinsic or environmental rather than genetic.