title: Subclinical electrophysiological alterations of phrenic nerve in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.
abstract: Alterations of the phrenic nerve (PN) and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) have been described in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). This study was aimed at assessing the relationship between PN and respiratory function in CIDP patients without clinical signs of respiratory failure. Bilateral PN and right median nerve conduction studies were carried out along with blood gas analysis and PFTs: maximal inspiratory pressure; maximal expiratory pressure; forced vital capacity. The amplitude of the compound muscle action potential of the PN was seen to be altered in 19/24 (79%) patients and latency in 22 (92%). Eighteen patients (75%) showed at least one abnormal PFTs or CO2 partial pressure value. Electrophysiological alterations of the PN were observed in a high percentage of the CIDP patients studied. No statistically significant correlation was observed between PN and PFTs alterations.
authors.affiliation: U.O. Neurofisiologia Clinica, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze Università di Torino, Via Cherasco 15, 10126 Torino, Italy. dariococito@yahoo.it
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cocito
authors.forename: Palma
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ciaramitaro
authors.forename: Eugenia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rota
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Isoardo
authors.forename: Silvana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cannizzo
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Poglio
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tavella
authors.forename: Lorys
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Castelli
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Paolasso
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bergamasco
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baldi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods; D019054:Evoked Potentials, Motor / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology*; D010791:Phrenic Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020277:Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000379:methods