Abstract
The diaphragm is the main muscle of respiration with a unique muscular component and central tendinous component. Diaphragmatic pathologies can be a result of congenital etiologies or an acquired disease process. The majority of diaphragmatic pathologies are discovered incidentally on routine chest X-ray. Subsequent confirmatory tests depend on the diaphragm pathology. Diagnostic modalities include fluoroscopy, electromyography, CT scan, ultrasound and MRI. Advances in surgical technique as well as technology have improved the field in diagnosing and treating patients with diaphragm pathologies. This chapter covers the most common diaphragm pathologies and highlights the most recent updates in diagnosis and treatment of diaphragmatic problems. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020.