Congenital diaphragmatic hernia. X-ray of the chest of a newborn baby with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). A hernia is the abnormal protrusion of an organ or tissue through an opening. In this case the intestines (white coils) are protruding into the chest through a hole in the diaphragm, the membrane that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity. The intestines have filled the left side of the chest (right on X-ray) and are greatly compressing the right lung. This condition can be fatal as it limits the growth of the lungs. Treatment is with returning the intestines to the abdominal cavity and surgical repair of the hole.