[Kyphoscoliosis as a cause of pulmonary hypertension].
METHODS
A 61-year-old male patient complained about diffuse upper abdominal pain and a progressive dyspnoe on exertion. Of clinical relevance were signs of congestive heart failure and a distinct kyphoscoliosis.


METHODS
A cardiac catheter examination proved a pulmonary hypertension without cardiac genesis. Both, pulmonary function test and computed tomography of the thorax rule out obstructive bronchial asthma and embolism of the lung. As the sole cause of pulmonary hypertension, kyphoscoliosis was diagnosed. Since the patient refused noninvasive positive pressure ventilation, a medication with calcium entry blocker and ACE blocker was induced, followed by oxygen breathing. This successfully helped to reduce pulmonary resistance (746 vs. 332 dyn*s*cm(-5)).


CONCLUSIONS
Kyphoscoliosis can create a considerable increase of pulmonary resistance. Medical treatment and oxygen breathing have proven to be an efficient method to lower that significantly.
Schröder
Andreas
A
Klinik für Innere Medizin, Evangelisches Krankenhaus Hattigen.
Schumacher
Thomas
T
Tromm
Andreas
A
D017311:Amlodipine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004656:Enalapril / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D017311:Amlodipine; D004656:Enalapril