title: Acute respiratory failure due to diaphragmatic weakness revealing a polymyositis.
abstract: Of the different respiratory disorders that complicate the course of polymyositis, diaphragmatic weakness is one that is seldom described and most often suspected rather than confirmed. We report a case of severe diaphragmatic weakness as a cause of acute respiratory failure revealing a polymyositis. The diaphragmatic involvement was proven by a very low esophageal pressure in response to cervical magnetic stimulation of the phrenic nerve. Corticosteroids and intravenous gammaglobulin, combined with mechanical ventilation, achieved a progressive recovery of diaphragmatic weakness.
authors.affiliation: Service de Pneumologie et Réanimation Respiratoire, Service de Médecine Interne, Hôpital Beaujon, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 100 avenue du Général Leclerc, 92110, Clichy, France
authors.forename: Gaëlle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dauriat
authors.forename: Jean Baptiste
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Stern
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Similowski
authors.forename: Serge
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Herson
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Belmatoug
authors.forename: Armelle
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marceau
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fantin
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fournier
authors.forename: Hervé
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mal