1/39. Reversibility of paraneoplastic bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis after nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma.Bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis is usually caused by anatomic lesions of both phrenic nerves (e.g., after cardiothoracic surgery), generalized neurologic diseases (e.g., primary motor neuron disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) or is without a known cause (idiopathic). We report a case of a patient with renal cell carcinoma complicated by an isolated bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis without clinical or electromyographic signs of other muscle or nerve involvement. There has been progressive, though till now partial, recovery of his vital capacity rising from 44% to 72% of predicted values, and maximal inspiratory pressures during the two years following the curative resection of his renal cell carcinoma. We believe this is the first report of a paraneoplastic bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis with actual recovery after tumour therapy.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/39. Bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis after cardiac surgery: ventilatory assistance by nasal mask continuous positive airway pressure.The case of an 8-month-old boy with bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis after surgical reoperation for congenital heart disease is presented. In order to avoid repeated intubation and long-term mechanical ventilation or tracheotomy, we used nasal mask continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) as an alternative method for assisted ventilation. Within 24 hours the boy accepted the nasal mask and symptoms such as dyspnea and sweating disappeared. Respiratory movements became regular and oxygen saturation increased. Nasal mask CPAP may serve as an alternative treatment of bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis in infants, thereby avoiding tracheotomy or long-term mechanical ventilation.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 5keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/39. Phrenic paresis--a possible additional spinal cord dysfunction induced by neck manipulation in cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM): a report of two cases with anatomical and clinical considerations.The clinical records of two male subjects with severe cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) who developed respiratory insufficiency after the cervical manipulation involved in preoperative anesthetic intubation were examined. Their cervical imaging was analyzed with respect to the known anatomic relationships of the spinal phrenic nerve nuclei to the spondylotic compressive lesions in an attempt to provide the anatomic and pathologic rationales that may explain this phrenic paresis as a possible traumatic complication of severe CSM. Perusal of extant literature revealed extensive descriptions of CSM symptoms, but none had previously reported an associated neuromuscular weakness of the diaphragm. magnetic resonance imaging analyses indicated that the existing degree of upper cervical cord compression, when reinforced by the additional posterior and anterior pressures consequent to cervical spinal extension and flexion, could readily account for the functional impairment of phrenic nerve neuron cells and/or their efferent fibers. Thus, the anatomic relations of the phrenic nerve nuclear columns and their efferent tracts predispose them to interference by compressive lesions found in CSM, and undue manipulation of the cervical spine when advanced stenosis is known to be present should be recognized as a possible cause of cervical spondylotic myelopathic-phrenic paresis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/39. Dyspnoea exaggerated in the supine position and during exertion--diagnostic challenge.The case of dyspnoea, exaggerated when in the supine position and during exertion, as a result of severe weakness of the diaphragm is reported. The aim of the study was to present a rare case of idiopathic bilateral diaphragmatic paresis (BDP) and to describe all the diagnostic procedures necessary to perform differential diagnostics. In order to establish the final diagnosis, chest radiography, haemodynamic evaluation of the circulatory system, ultrasonography, ultrasonocardiography, measurement of transdiaphragmatic pressures, scintiscanning of the lungs, spirometry, analysis of arterial blood gases, computed tomography of the thorax and external stimulation of the phrenic nerve were performed. The measurement of transdiaphragmatic pressure was crucial to establish and confirm the diagnosis of BDP, as only a small difference in gastric and oesophageal pressures during tidal breathing and inspiratory efforts was recorded. As no cause of diaphragmatic paresis was found, the case was classified as idiopathic. The final diagnosis of non-trauma related bilateral diaphragmatic weakness was generally delayed. In the case of the described patient, dyspnoea, the main symptom he was suffering from, was supposed to result from his congenital heart defect. We recommend that the suspicion of idiopathic diaphragmatic paresis should always be raised in patients suffering from respiratory failure of unknown origin. It is, however, necessary to perform extensive diagnostics to exclude the other causes of phrenic-diaphragmatic impairment. It's also necessary to consider all infections, injuries and surgical procedures within the thorax as possible causes of diaphragmatic paresis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 3keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/39. Right hemidiaphragmatic elevation with a right-to-left interatrial shunt through a patent foramen ovale: a case report and literature review.A right-to-left shunt (RLS) is an uncommon complication of a patent foramen ovale (PFO) that may cause hypoxemia from venous admixture and ischemic complications from paradoxic embolization. This report presents the third described patient whose RLS through a PFO and profound hypoxemia developed in association with right hemidiaphragm dysfunction (but without a pressure gradient driving the right-to-left flow). In addition to extending the available experience with this unusual clinical event, we report on the successful closure of the PFO by a catheter-deployed double-umbrella device, after the positioning of which the patient's oxygenation normalized.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/39. Idiopathic bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis.A 41-year-old man complained of subacute onset of dyspnea and pain in the neck and chest. He was diagnosed with bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis, based on clinical inspection of the breathing pattern and transdiaphragmatic pressure recording, and was trained to use a portable bi-level positive airway pressure apparatus (BiPAP). Needle electromyography showed profuse fibrillation potentials and positive waves in the diaphragm, more abundant on the right than left side, and no response to phrenic nerve stimulation. Other muscles were not involved. Follow-up examinations, performed at 9 and 12 months after onset of paralysis, demonstrated a slow but progressive improvement of the patient's respiratory function, together with the appearance of reinnervation potentials in the diaphragm, and polyphasic, long-latency responses to phrenic nerve stimulation. The subacute onset of the paralysis associated with local pain, and its subsequent recovery, suggest bilateral proximal lesions in the phrenic nerves. In the absence of traumatic or metabolic causes, these findings suggest that the phrenic nerve can be a target in idiopathic neuritis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/39. Successful electrical pacing for complete heart block complicating diphtheritic myocarditis.A case of severe diphtheria complicated by myocarditis and neurorespiratory paralysis is reported. The myocarditis manifested with severe conduction disturbances including left bundle-branch block and high grade second degree atrioventricular block leading to Adams-Stokes attacks. Temporary transvenous electrical pacing for.3 days was successful in the management of this complication, but positive pressure ventilation was later required for respiratory paralysis. This case illustrates the potential value of electrical pacing in diphtheritic myocarditis. Sporadic cases of diphtheria still occur and the case fatality ratio remains at 10%, much of which is related to the occurrence of myocarditis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/39. Bilateral corneal anesthesia associated with diaphragmatic paralysis, ovarian failure, and developmental delay.PURPOSE: To describe two siblings with bilateral corneal anesthesia associated with multiple systemic abnormalities. DESIGN: Interventional case report. methods: A 38-year-old Hispanic woman was seen for bilateral corneal ulcers, exposure keratitis, hemorrhagic retinopathy, and multiple systemic abnormalities. A younger sibling with similar but milder findings was also examined. Medical and genetic evaluation was investigated in these two siblings with bilateral decreased sensation and multiple abnormalities from a consanguineous union. RESULTS: Examination of the patient showed bilateral corneal anesthesia, and multiple systemic abnormalities included diaphragmatic paralysis, ovarian failure, multiple thrombotic cerebrovascular accidents, pedal edema, mandibular hypoplasia, and developmental delay. Milder findings were seen in a sibling. Corneal ulcers were stabilized after treatment that included bandage contact lens, pressure patching, topical antibiotics, and tarsorrhaphy. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of corneal anesthesia and systemic abnormalities, with parental consanguinity, suggests an inherited syndrome.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/39. Nasal mask bilevel positive airway pressure ventilation for diaphragmatic paralysis after pediatric open-heart surgery.A 2-year-old boy underwent surgical repair of tetralogy of fallot. Topical cooling of the heart with ice slush was used during the operation. Diaphragmatic paralysis occurred after the operation, inducing severe respiratory distress. To avoid repeated intubation and tracheostomy, the patient was placed on nasal mask bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) ventilation. After ventilatory support with BiPAP for 40 days, the patient recovered spontaneously from the paralysis. No sedation was required during this time. This report illustrates the usefulness of BiPAP for a pediatric patient with diaphragmatic paralysis after cardiac surgery.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 5keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/39. An unusual cause of bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis.In a patient who had a sudden onset of bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis after forceful neck manipulation complete, though gradual, recovery in lung function and transdiaphragmatic pressures was seen over three years. This is a previously unrecognised risk of neck osteopathy.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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