Abstract

GARCIA GARCIA, Gema María et al. Idiopathic bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis with noninvasive mechanical ventilation. CES Med. [online]. 2016, vol.30, n.1, pp.85-92. ISSN 0120-8705.

Bilateral paralysis of the diaphragm is uncommon and can be either idiopathic or more frequently associated with several medical conditions. We describe the case of a 61-year-old man with a history of asthma who developed severe bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis without any obvius cause, which is exceptional. The patient manifested progressive dyspnea and debilitating orthopnea with no improvement with antibiotics or systemic steroids. Different etiologies were discarded as amyotrophic lateral neuralgia, and he was diagnosed of bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis based on physical examination and imaging tests. Noninvasive mechanical ventilation was started with great clinical improvement.

Keywords : Diaphragmatic paralysis; Respiratory failure; Noninvasive mechanical ventilation; Paradoxical breathing.

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