COVID-19 associated phrenic nerve mononeuritis: a case series.
case_series · Level IV
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 35459747.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2021-218257.
- No licence information is recorded for this record.
- Because redistribution is not established, this page shows the abstract only. Follow the links below for the full text.
Abstract
This study characterised the hemidiaphragm elevation on 3-month interval chest X-rays (CXRs) of patients post COVID-19 pneumonia. 467 CXRs were screened; 19 (4.1%) had an elevated hemidiaphragm. There were 15 (3.2%) patients of interest with new hemidiaphragm elevation, persisting on average 7 months post COVID-19 diagnosis. Symptomatic patients underwent diaphragm ultrasound (n=12), pulmonary function test (n=10), muscle function test (n=6) and neurophysiology (n=5), investigating phrenic nerve function. Ultrasound demonstrated reduced/paradoxical diaphragmatic movements in eight; four of eight had reduced thickening fraction. Neurophysiology peripheral limb studies did not support the differential diagnoses of critical illness neuropathy/myopathy. We propose that, in selected patients, COVID-19 may cause phrenic nerve mononeuritis.
Medical subject headings
- COVID-19
- Mononeuropathies