title: Pneumothorax associated with long-term non-invasive positive pressure ventilation in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
abstract: Long-term non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) is effective for improving the quality of life and survival of neuromuscular patients. This treatment is usually easy to administer and severe complications have rarely been reported. We describe two cases in which the development of pneumothorax was associated with long-term NPPV administered to Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients. Given the wide scale utilization of chronic NPPV, we suggest that care-givers and patients be made aware of this serious complication.
authors.affiliation: Unità di Terapia Semi-Intensiva Respiratoria, Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova, Padova, Italy. avianello@qubisoft.it
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vianello
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Arcaro
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gallan
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ori
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bevilacqua
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020388:Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / Q000150:complications* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011859:Radiography / Q000379:methods; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*