Respiratory failure due to bilateral diaphragm palsy as an early manifestation of ALS.
BACKGROUND
Diaphragm palsy is common in the advanced stages of motor neuron disease and is a primary cause of fatal outcome However, respiratory failure is a presenting symptom of motor neuron disease in only a small number of patients.


METHODS
We present the case of a patient with dyspnea and orthopnea followed by subacute respiratory failure due to bilateral diaphragm paralysis as the first manifestation of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Failure of respiratory muscle function can be the first symptom of motor neuron disease, and may precede clinical manifestation in voluntary motor units in ALS. Therefore, in cases of unexplained acute respiratory failure or when respiratory support must be continued for no clear reason, a motor neuron disease such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which leads to respiratory muscle weakness and diaphragm paralysis, should be taken into consideration.
Czapliński
Adam
A
Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Basel, Switzerland. aczaplinski@uhbs.ch
Strobel
Werner
W
Gobbi
Claudio
C
Steck
Andreas J
AJ
Fuhr
Peter
P
Leppert
David
D
D000208:Acute Disease; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003964:Diaphragm; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010243:Paralysis / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology*; D013997:Time Factors