title: Vital Capacity Impairment due to Neuromuscular Disease and its Correlation with Diaphragmatic Ultrasound: A Preliminary Study.
abstract: The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the correlation between diaphragmatic excursion measured by a right sub-costal ultrasound approach and forced vital capacity in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or myotonic dystrophy (MD). All patients referred for pulmonary function testing underwent ultrasonic measurement of diaphragmatic excursion during quiet breathing, voluntary sniffing (Esniff) and forced breathing (EDEmax). Forty-five patients were included, mainly for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or myotonic dystrophy. There was a significant correlation between EDEmax values and forced vital capacity (FVC) values (r = 0.68 [0.46–0.90], p < 0.0001) and between EDEmax values and percentage of predicted FVC values (r = 0.75 [0.55–0.95], p < 0.0001). At a threshold of EDEmax < 5.5 cm, the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonic diaphragmatic excursion in predicting FVC ≤ 50% of theoretical values were 100% [66%–100%] and 69% [52%–84%] respectively, without any significant difference between males and females. There was no statistical correlation between maximal inspiratory pressure and Esniff.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, CHU de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
authors.forename: Cédric
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carrié
authors.forename: Eline
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bonnardel
authors.forename: Rishad
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vally
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Revel
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marthan
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marthan
mesh_terms: D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009223:Myotonic Dystrophy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000502:physiology*