It is named after Demetrius Chilaiditi (1883-1975),Greek radiologist who described the radiographic findings in 1910 whilst working in Vienna, Austria. Although the first description of the interposition of colon between the liver and the right hemidiaphragm was published by Cantini in 1865.
𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶 𝘀𝘆𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗲 is the anterior interposition of the colon to the liver reaching the under-surface of the right hemidiaphragm with associated upper abdominal pain; it is one of the causes of pseudopneumoperitoneum.
Colonic gas in this position may be misinterpreted as true pneumoperitoneum resulting in further imaging, investigation, and treatment that is not required.
Pain distinguishes Chilaiditi syndrome from asymptomatic colonic interposition, which is termed as Chilaiditi sign. This is by virtue of the fact that syndrome is a collection of signs and symptoms.