Neuralgic amyotrophy: A rare cause of bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis.
Neuralgic amyotrophy, also known as brachial neuritis, is a well described clinical entity. Diaphragmatic dysfunction, as a result of phrenic nerve root involvement (cervical roots 3 to 5), is an uncommon, but increasingly recognized association. The case of a previously healthy 61-year-old woman who, after a prodrome of neck and shoulder discomfort, presented with severe orthopnea is described. Pulmonary function and electrophysiological studies led to a diagnosis of bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis. The patient's clinical course and the exclusion of other nerve entrapment syndromes and neurological disorders strongly favoured the diagnosis of neuralgic amyotrophy.
Shinder
N
N
Queen's University, Kingston, Canada.
Polson
A
A
Pringle
E
E
O'Donnell
D E
DE
D020968:Brachial Plexus Neuritis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012133:Respiratory Paralysis / Q000209:etiology*