DOI: 10.12890/2020_001258

Bilateral Isolated Phrenic Neuropathy: a Rare Cause of Dyspnoea

Authors

  • Carlos Couto Pulmonology Department, Garcia de Orta Hospital, Almada, Portugal
  • Pedro Pereira Neurology Department, Garcia de Orta Hospital, Almada, Portugal
  • Ana Catarina Moreira Pulmonology Department, Garcia de Orta Hospital, Almada, Portugal
  • Vicência Ribeiro Pulmonology Department, Garcia de Orta Hospital, Almada, Portugal
  • José Duarte Pulmonology Department, Garcia de Orta Hospital, Almada, Portugal

carlus_rcouto@hotmail.com

Keywords

Diaphragmatic paralysis, dyspnoea, hypoventilation, noninvasive ventilation, phrenic neuropathy

Abstract

Bilateral diaphragm paralysis due to bilateral isolated phrenic neuropathy (BIPN) is a very rare cause of unexplained respiratory failure.
We present a 65-year-old patient with no relevant previous medical history who presented in the Pulmonology Clinic with mMRC1 dyspnoea and orthopnoea. After the medical work-up, diaphragmatic paresis was diagnosed. Inspiratory muscle training resulted in mild symptomatic improvement and treatment with noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) was initiated.
This condition is generally chronic and has a poorer prognosis, compared to other cases of phrenic nerve involvement. In this case, NIV restored near-normal daily function.

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Published

2020-01-30

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 2 (2020)

How to Cite

1.
Couto C, Pereira P, Moreira AC, Ribeiro V, Duarte J. Bilateral Isolated Phrenic Neuropathy: a Rare Cause of Dyspnoea. EJCRIM [Internet]. 2020 Jan. 30 [cited 2026 Nov. 3];7(2). Available from: https://ejcrim.com/index.php/ejcrim/article/view/1258

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