title: An unusual cause of dyspnea in a patient with relapsing breast cancer.
abstract: Bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis (BDP) is usually caused by anatomic lesions of both phrenic nerves or generalized neurologic diseases. BDP has also been observed during and after infections, associated with mediastinal tumors, or may have an idiopathic etiology. A 57-year-old woman with breast cancer had progressive dyspnea that worsened when in the supine position. Lung function tests and phrenic nerve stimulation revealed bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis. Clinical suspicion of BDP should always be raised in patients suffering from progressive dyspnea and orthopnea. Determination of (VC) when standing and in the supine position and measurement of trandiaphragmatic pressure should reveal this uncommon diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonology, St. Savvas Hospital, Athens, Greece. chronaiou@yahoo.gr
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chroneou
authors.forename: Paraskevi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Katsaounou
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gangadi
authors.forename: Stavros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pampukos
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kougianos
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zias
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Politis
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000150:complications*; D012133:Respiratory Paralysis / Q000209:etiology*