[Total aplasia of the diaphragm with hypoplasia of the lungs (author's transl)].

A case of congenital aplasia of the diaphragm with hypoplasia of both lungs is reported. By the complete absence of the diaphragm the liver could in the early stage of embryonic development expand around the heart into the thoracic cavity. This resulted in a growth arrest with consequently severe hypoplasia of both lungs, which were originally normally developed.