title: Bilateral diaphragmatic weakness: a late complication of radiotherapy.
abstract: Brachial plexus neuropathy is an unfortunate complication that sometimes follows radiotherapy to the axillary and supraclavicular regions. A patient is described who, 30 years after radiotherapy for Hodgkin's disease and more than 10 years after the development of radiation-induced bilateral brachial plexus neuropathy, presented with bilateral diaphragmatic weakness secondary to bilateral phrenic nerve weakness. Previous radiotherapy was the most probable cause of the condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Kiljava Hospital, Finland.
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Brander
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Järvinen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lohela
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Salmi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000528:radiation effects; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D010791:Phrenic Nerve / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012133:Respiratory Paralysis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors