Aerophagia as a cause of ineffective phrenic nerve pacing in high tetraplegia: a case report.
We report an unusual case of aerophagia after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), which shows the profound effects of abdominal distension on respiratory ability in such individuals. In this case, abdominal distension resulting from aerophagia reduced the effectiveness of phrenic nerve pacing on diaphragm function necessitating greater use of positive-pressure ventilatory (PPV) support. Reduction of postprandial gastric air and abdominal distension with insertion of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube ameliorated the condition and allowed for more effective phrenic nerve pacing and greater PPV-free breathing. We are unaware of a similar case involving an individual with an SCI.
Colachis
Sam C
SC
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ohio State University, College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Kadyan
Vivek
V
D000328:Adult; D000334:Aerophagy / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D015984:Causality; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries; D005774:Gastrostomy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010791:Phrenic Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration / Q000379:methods; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000150:complications*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications*