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.
Queen's University, Kingston, Canada.
N
N
Shinder
A
A
Polson
E
E
Pringle
D E
DE
O'Donnell
D020968:Brachial Plexus Neuritis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012133:Respiratory Paralysis / Q000209:etiology*