Elevated Hemidiaphragm on Chest X-Ray

Causes of an elevated hemidiaphragm are:

 1) Above the diaphragm – decreased lung volume (atelectasis, collapse, lobectomy, pneumonectomy, pulmonary hypoplasia).

2) Diaphragm – phrenic nerve palsy, diaphragmatic eventration

3) Below the diaphragm – abdominal tumour, subphrenic abscess, distended stomach or colon.

Differential diagnoses which may mimic an elevated hemidiaphragm are subpulmonic effusion, diaphragmatic hernia, diaphragmatic rupture and a tumour of the pleura or diaphragm