Long term results of diaphragmatic plication for unilateral diaphragm paralysis

OBJECTIVES

To examine whether diaphragmatic plication is an effective and lasting treatment option for non-malignant diaphragmatic paralysis.

METHODS

Nineteen patients who had undergone diaphragm plication (1983-1990) were recalled for interview, pulmonary function testing and chest X-ray.

RESULTS

There were 13 men and six women aged 24-73 (mean 55). Diaphragm paralysis was idiopathic (n=9), postsurgical (n=3), related to cervical spondylosis (n=4) and neck injury (n=2). Patients presented with breathlessness (18/19) or orthopnoea (1/19). Symptoms had lasted 3-60 months (mean 24 months). All patients had a raised hemidiaphragm on chest X-ray with paradoxical movement on ultrasound. Mean preoperative FVC was 71% predicted (range 38-93, SD 12.9) and mean FEV(1) was 67% predicted (range 33-90, SD 10.8). Supine lung volumes were 81% (mean) of sitting values. There were six right plications and 13 left. There were no postoperative deaths. One patient required re-plication. Follow-up (18/19 of original operated patients) ranged from 7-14 years (mean 10 years). Three patients had died of unrelated causes and one patient failed to attend long term follow-up, leaving 15 patients of the original 19 operated on. Positional change in lung volumes was not affected by surgery at early (6 week) or late (>5 year) follow-up. FVC, FEV(1), FRC and TLC improved by 10.1*, 11.8*, 16.9* and 9.2*%, respectively, at early follow-up and 11.8*, 15.4*, 26 and 13.3*% at late follow-up (*P<0.005 signed rank). Dyspnoea scores at long term follow-up improved 1 point (n=5), 2 points (n=5) and 3 points (n=2), remained unchanged (n=1) or dropped 1 point (n=2). Of the 15 patients followed up all but one who had been employed returned to work. 14/15 patients expressed satisfaction with their surgery.

CONCLUSION

Diaphragm plication is an effective procedure with lasting results.

Bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis after open heart surgery

The purpose of the present case report is to present a case of bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis as a complication of open-heart surgery. A 47-year-old male was operated for aortic and mitral valve replacement. After discontinuation of sedation, bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis as well as motor and sensitive dysfunction in the four extremities was observed. The patient remained with mechanical ventilation support for twenty months. Two years after the operation a complete normalisation of the diaphragmatic motion was observed. Although uncommon, bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis after open-heart surgery could take place, being necessary long term mechanical ventilation support until recovery.

Measurement of twitch transdiaphragmatic, esophageal, and endotracheal tube pressure with bilateral anterolateral magnetic phrenic nerve stimulation in patients in the intensive care unit

OBJECTIVE

In the critically ill, respiratory muscle strength usually has been assessed by measuring maximum inspiratory pressure. The maneuver is volitional, and results can be unreliable. The nonvolitional technique of bilateral anterolateral magnetic stimulation of the phrenic nerves, producing twitch transdiaphragmatic pressure, has been successful in normal subjects and ambulatory patients. In this study we used the technique in the intensive care unit and explored the measurement of twitch endotracheal tube pressure as a less invasive technique to assess diaphragmatic contractility.

DESIGN

Clinical study to quantify diaphragm strength in the intensive care unit.

SETTING

Patients from three London teaching hospital intensive care units and high-dependency units.

PATIENTS

Forty-one intensive care patients were recruited. Of these, 33 (20 men, 13 women) were studied.

INTERVENTIONS

Esophageal and gastric balloon catheters were passed through the anaesthetized nose, and an endotracheal tube occlusion device was placed in the ventilation circuit, next to the endotracheal tube. Two 43-mm magnetic coils were placed anteriorly on the patient's neck, and the phrenic nerves were stimulated magnetically.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

On phrenic nerve stimulation, twitch gastric pressure, twitch esophageal pressure, twitch transdiaphragmatic pressure, and twitch endotracheal tube pressure were measured. Forty-one consecutive patients consented to take part in the study, and twitch pressure data were obtained in 33 of these. Mean transdiaphragmatic pressure was 10.7 cm H2O, mean twitch esophageal pressure was 6.7 cm H2O, and mean twitch endotracheal tube pressure was 6.7 cm H2O. The mean difference between twitch esophageal pressure and twitch endotracheal tube pressure was 0.02 cm H2O. Correlation of the means of twitch endotracheal tube pressure to twitch esophageal pressure was 0.93, and that for twitch endotracheal tube pressure to transdiaphragmatic pressure was 0.78.

CONCLUSIONS

Transdiaphragmatic pressure can be measured in the critically ill to give a nonvolitional assessment of diaphragm contractility, but not all patients can be studied. At present, the relationship of twitch endotracheal tube pressure to transdiaphragmatic pressure is too variable to reliably represent a less invasive measure of diaphragm strength.

Bilateral phrenic paralysis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

Respiratory manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are frequent. They include respiratory muscle abnormalities, which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of the "shrinking lung syndrome" (SLS). We report the case of a patient with this syndrome, in whom diaphragmatic paralysis due to demyelinating phrenic lesions was diagnosed at the same time as SLE. Follow-up studies showed a favorable clinical and diaphragmatic outcome with corticosteroid therapy, but little change in spirometry. It is concluded that severe diaphragm palsy is possibly due to phrenic nerve lesions in SLE, and that the link between diaphragm dysfunction and the SLS is probably not a straightforward one.

Diaphragmatic paralysis following cervical chiropractic manipulation: case report and review

This case report documents an uncommon cause of bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis resulting from phrenic nerve injury during cervical chiropractic manipulation. Several months after the initial injury, our patient remains short of breath and has difficulty breathing in the supine position. Other causes of diaphragmatic paralysis and phrenic nerve injury are reviewed.

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.

Phrenic nerve injury following blunt trauma

Phrenic nerve trauma in the absence of direct injury is unusual and may present diagnostic difficulty. Diaphragmatic paralysis resulting from phrenic nerve injury may closely mimic diaphragmatic rupture. This case highlights the value of magnetic resonance imaging in establishing diaphragmatic integrity and of ultrasonographic assessment during respiratory excursion in confirming diaphragmatic paralysis. In cases of non-contact injury involving torsional injury to the neck, an index of clinical awareness may help to establish the diagnosis of phrenic nerve trauma.

Bilateral diaphragm paralysis secondary to central von Recklinghausen's disease

Bilateral paralysis of the diaphragm is either idiopathic or associated with several medical conditions, including trauma or thoracic surgery, viral infections, and neurologic congenital or degenerative disorders. We describe the case of a 36-year-old man with a history of neurofibromatosis who developed severe bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis from involvement of the phrenic nerve roots with neurofibromas. The patient manifested progressive exertional dyspnea and debilitating orthopnea requiring the use of noninvasive mechanical ventilation at night. A review of the literature reveals that neurofibromatosis is an unrecognized cause of diaphragmatic paralysis.

Sleep disorders and diaphragmatic function in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the progressive loss of upper and lower motor neurons leads to respiratory failure, often with predominant diaphragm dysfunction, and death. Because the diaphragm is the only active inspiratory muscle during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, there is a high theoretical risk of respiratory disorders during REM sleep in patients with ALS. To assess this hypothesis, we studied sleep characteristics (polysomnography) in 21 patients with ALS, stratified according to the presence or absence of diaphragmatic dysfunction. Diaphragmatic dysfunction was defined as an absent or delayed diaphragm response to cervical or cortical magnetic stimulation, abdominal paradox, or respiratory pulse (Group 1, 13 patients). These patients did not differ in age, clinical course, or form (bulbar or spinal) from the eight others, who did not have diaphragmatic dysfunction (Group 2). REM sleep was reduced in Group 1 (7 +/- 7% of total sleep time; mean +/- SD) and normal in Group 2 (18 +/- 6%, p = 0.004). Apneas or hypopneas were rare in both groups. In Group 1, REM sleep was absent or minimal (less than 3 min) in five patients. An unusual and remarkable preservation of phasic inspiratory sternomastoid activation during REM was associated with longer REM sleep duration in six of the other patients with diaphragmatic dysfunction. Median survival time was dramatically shorter (217 d) in Group 1 than in Group 2 (619 d, p = 0.015).

Assessment of diaphragm paralysis with oesophageal electromyography and unilateral magnetic phrenic nerve stimulation

The purpose of this study was to establish a sensitive and reliable method of diagnosing diaphragm paralysis by recording the diaphragm compound muscle action potential (CMAP) using a multipair oesophageal electrode and unilateral magnetic phrenic nerve stimulation. An oesophageal electrode catheter was designed containing six coils (1 cm wide and 3 cm apart), creating an array of four sequential electrode pairs. The oesophageal catheter was taped at the nose with the proximal electrode pair 40 cm from the nares. Eight patients with unilateral (n=5) or bilateral (n=3) diaphragm paralysis were studied. Five to seven phrenic nerve stimulations were performed at 80% of maximum magnetic stimulator output and the CMAPs were recorded simultaneously from the four pairs of electrodes. In the five patients with unilateral diaphragm paralysis, the CMAP amplitudes and latencies were 1.16+/-0.29 mV and 7.6+/-1.5 ms for functioning sides. No diaphragm CMAP could be detected when stimulating nonfunctioning phrenic nerves. This study shows that diaphragm paralysis can be reliably diagnosed by unilateral magnetic stimulation combined with a multipaired oesophageal electrode.

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.

Optimal level of pressure support ventilation for recovery from diaphragmatic fatigue in rabbits

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether there is an optimal level of pressure support ventilation (PSV) for recovery from acute diaphragmatic fatigue.

DESIGN

Prospective laboratory trial.

SETTING

Experimental laboratory.

SUBJECTS

Twenty healthy adult New Zealand White rabbits.

INTERVENTIONS

Diaphragmatic fatigue was induced with 50 Hz of phrenic nerve stimulation for 30 mins. Recovery was compared between inspiratory load + PSV of 0 cm H2O (L0), inspiratory load + PSV of 60 cm H2O (L60), inspiratory load + PSV of 80 cm H2O (L80), and PSV of 0 cm H2O without inspiratory load (SB) for 90 mins immediately after the end of the fatigue-inducing procedure. To add inspiratory load during the recovery phase, three pressure threshold valves, each having an opening pressure of -20 cm H2O, were used.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

After the fatigue-inducing procedure, diaphragmatic electromyogram and transdiaphragmatic pressure remained at baseline in both SB and L60, decreased in L80, and increased in L0. Recovery was assessed by abdominal cavity pressure (Pabd) generated by high-frequency (100 Hz) and low-frequency (20 Hz) stimulation. Pabd at 100 Hz recovered to baseline in L60 and SB but not in L0 and L80 (69.1%, 81.3%, 100.3%, and 100.7% of the baseline at 90 mins for L0, L80, L60, and SB, respectively). Pabd at 20 Hz did not differ among ventilatory settings.

CONCLUSION

There is an optimal range of PSV assist level to improve recovery from diaphragmatic fatigue. Recovery was hampered not only by inadequate PSV but also by excessive PSV.

Diaphragmatic spinal muscular atrophy with bulbar weakness

We present the clinical and histopathological features of a child affected by diaphragmatic spinal muscular atrophy. The child was born with mild distal arthrogryposis, mild hypotonia and developed marked diaphragmatic and bulbar muscle weakness in the first week of life. Electrophysiological and pathological investigations performed at presentation were not conclusive, while the investigations performed at 3 months showed a clear neurogenic picture. Genetic studies excluded involvement of the SMN gene, or of other genes located on chromosome 5q, confirming that this syndrome represents a different entity from typical proximal spinal muscular atrophy.

Acute neuromuscular respiratory failure after ICU discharge. Report of five patients

OBJECTIVE

To describe a syndrome of acute neuromuscular respiratory failure (NM-ARF) caused by ICU-acquired acute myopathy and neuropathy.

DESIGN

Case series.

SETTING

General Regional University Hospital in Brescia, Italy.

PATIENTS

Five adult patients with NM-ARF after prolonged ICU stay and successful weaning from the ventilator and ICU discharge.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS

Clinical signs of NM-ARF, electroneurography and electromyography (ENMG) of peripheral nerves and muscles, and functional assessment of respiratory muscles.

RESULTS

NM-ARF was diagnosed at the time of (one case), or 1-3 days after, ICU discharge. Limb weakness alarmed the physicians, while the signs of the NM-ARF were initially undetected. In the first observed case the acute respiratory failure was near fatal, and necessitated ICU readmission, while in the other cases 2 weeks of aggressive chest physiotherapy permitted resolution of the respiratory failure. History, clinical course and ENMG indicated the diagnosis of critical illness myopathy and neuropathy (CRIMYNE). Three patients recovered fully, while two had persisting evidence of axonal polyneuropathy several months after the onset.

CONCLUSIONS

Critically ill patients with prolonged ICU stay, sepsis and MOF are at great risk of developing CRIMYNE, which in turn may be responsible for NM-ARF. This latter complication may arise after resolution of the respiratory and cardiac dysfunctions and successful weaning from the ventilator. As NM-ARF may cause unplanned ICU readmission or even unexpected death, strict clinical surveillance and monitoring of respiratory muscle function is recommended after discharge to the general ward of patients with proven NM-ARF. Early intensive chest physiotherapy can resolve the condition.

Respiratory response to exercise in postpolio patients with severe inspiratory muscle dysfunction

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the limiting factors of exercise performance and to analyze the respiratory strategies adopted during exercise in postpolio patients with severe inspiratory muscle dysfunction.

PATIENTS

Five patients with prior poliomyelitis associated with scoliosis and with respiratory muscle dysfunction (mean vital capacity, 1.74L [range, 1.1 to 2.4]) were studied at rest and during leg or arm cycle exercise.

METHODS

Gas exchange was examined by arterial blood gases and mass spectrometry of expired air. Ventilatory mechanics were studied by measurement of esophageal and gastric pressures.

RESULTS

Blood gases at rest were normal, except for subnormal PO2 levels in three patients. In all but one patient, ventilatory insufficiency was the limiting factor for exercise. A compensatory breathing pattern with abdominal muscle recruitment during expiration was present already at rest in three of the patients. The pressures generated by the diaphragm were below fatiguing margins, ie, levels that in healthy subjects can be sustained for at least 45 minutes.

CONCLUSIONS

The extent of ventilatory dysfunction was not evident in blood gas values at rest; however, it was revealed by blood gas values during the exercise test. Diaphragm fatigue seems to be avoided at the cost of impaired blood gases.

Impact of diaphragmatic paralysis after cardiothoracic surgery in children

OBJECTIVES

We sought to determine the prevalence and clinical impact of diaphragmatic paralysis caused by phrenic nerve injury after cardiothoracic surgery in children.

METHODS

A search of cardiology, radiology, and hospital databases identified 170 episodes of diaphragmatic paralysis after cardiothoracic surgery in 168 children operated on from 1985 to 1997. Medical records were reviewed to determine demographics, details of the operation and postoperative course, diagnostic features and management of diaphragmatic paralysis, and follow-up status.

RESULTS

The prevalence of diaphragmatic paralysis was 1.6% (95% confidence interval 1.4%-1.8%). Median age at operation was 6 months (range <1 day-14.4 years). Median time from the operation to the initial investigation was 5 days (range <1 day-61 days), with 57% of patients receiving mechanical ventilation at diagnosis. Diaphragmatic plication was performed in 40% of the patients at a median interval from the initial investigation of 15 days (range 3 days-11.1 months). Significant independent factors associated with increased postoperative hospital stay were lower patient weight at operation, previous cardiothoracic operations, bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis, increased interval from operation to investigation, mechanical ventilation at the time of investigation, and diaphragmatic plication. Confirmed recovery of diaphragmatic function was noted before hospital discharge in only 15 episodes.

CONCLUSIONS

Diaphragmatic paralysis complicating cardiothoracic surgery continues to occur in the current era, with a significant impact on morbidity. Smaller patients with bilateral hemidiaphragmatic paralysis, requiring mechanical ventilation, may represent a higher risk subgroup to target for increased diagnostic suspicion and more aggressive management; early spontaneous recovery is rare.

Role of radiology in lung transplantation

Lung transplantation has been used successfully since 1983 as treatment for terminal stages of chronic progressive lung disease of various origin. Based on the primary pathology, a single lung transplant, a double lung transplant or a heart-lung transplant is performed. The importance of radiology in detecting postoperative complications is well known. This article gives a short overview of the most common complications after lung transplantation with special attention to the specific radiological features and most suited examination techniques. We preferred grouping the complications in function of the affected structure. Postoperative standard radiography of the thorax is performed daily during admission (first recumbent, later standing) and regularly after release from the hospital. Computerised tomography and high-resolution CT of the chest are performed on specific indications. Other less frequently used radiological techniques are transoesophageal ultrasound, pulmonary artery angiography and fluoroscopy.

[Orthopnea: not always of cardiac origin]

Respiratory insufficiency developed in a man aged 68 after cardiac surgery and in a man aged 60 with COPD and a history of cigarette smoking after an attack of 'flu', while in a woman aged 70 with non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus it had been present for years. All three had bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis. The diagnosis is based on the triad orthopnoea, paradoxical abdominal movements during respiration in the recumbent position and a decrease of the vital capacity in the horizontal as compared with the sitting position. The patients' physical condition could be improved with the aid of (noninvasive) ventilatory support.