[The value of sonography in the intensive care unit for the diagnosis of diaphragmatic paralysis].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the value of bedside sonography in the detection of diaphragmatic paralysis in patients in the intensive care unit.


METHODS
In this study, 100 patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit after thoracic operations were evaluated. Sonography of each hemidiaphragm was performed with coronal scans at the mid-axillary line on both sides with the patient supine. Absent and paradoxical diaphragmatic movement was considered to be indicative of diaphragmatic paralysis. All patients underwent additional fluoroscopy within 5 days.


RESULTS
In 13 patients (13%) sonography revealed diaphragmatic paralysis. All these results were confirmed with fluoroscopy resulting in a sensitivity and specificity for sonography of 100%.


CONCLUSIONS
Bedside sonography of the diaphragm at the intensive care unit is a reliable tool for diagnosing diaphragmatic paralysis.
Dorffner
R
R
Abteilung für chirurgische Fächer, Universitätsklinik für Radiodiagnostik, Universität Wien.
Eibenberger
K
K
Youssefzadeh
S
S
Puig
S
S
Liskutin
J
J
Papousek
A
A
Grabenwöger
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003422:Critical Care; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012133:Respiratory Paralysis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography
Wertigkeit der Sonographie auf der Intensivstation zur Diagnostik von Zwerchfellparesen.