Elevated hemidiaphragms can result from many causes:
above the diaphragm
decreased lung volume
atelectasis/collapse
lobectomy/pneumonectomy
pulmonary hypoplasia
diaphragm
phrenic nerve palsy
diaphragmatic eventration
contralateral stroke: usually middle cerebral artery distribution
below the diaphragm
abdominal tumour, e.g. liver metastases or primary malignancy
subphrenic abscess
distended stomach or colon
Differential diagnosis
Other situations which may mimic an elevated hemidiaphragm include:
subpulmonic effusion
diaphragmatic hernia
diaphragmatic rupture
tumour of the pleura or diaphragm
See also