Diaphragmatic Paralysis 

  • Author: Nader Kamangar, MD, FACP, FCCP, FCCM; Chief Editor: Zab Mosenifar, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jun 3, 2011
 

Background

The respiratory system functions as a vital pump that moves air in and out of the lung gas-exchange units. The respiratory pump consists of central respiratory centers, the spinal cord, peripheral nerves, neuromuscular junctions, and respiratory muscles.

The diaphragm, the most important muscle of ventilation, develops negative intrathoracic pressure to initiate ventilation. Innervated by cervical motor neurons C3-C5 via the phrenic nerves, the cone-shaped muscle by means of contraction decreases intrapleural pressure during inspiration, expands the rib cage, and thereby facilitates movement of gases into the lungs.

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Pathophysiology

Diaphragmatic paralyses encompass a spectrum of disease involving a single leaflet, known as unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis (UDP), and that involving both leaflets, known as bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis (BDP).

Although the diaphragm performs most of the work, normal ventilation also requires the simultaneous contraction of respiration accessory muscles (ie, scalene, parasternal portion of the internal and external intercostal muscles, sternocleidomastoid, trapezius). In bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis, respiration accessory muscles assume some or all of the work of breathing by contracting more intensely. An increased effort in the struggle to breathe may fatigue the accessory muscles and lead to ventilatory failure.

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Epidemiology

Frequency

United States

Incidence is unknown.

Mortality/Morbidity

Unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis

The morbidity of the unilateral paralysis is mainly based on the underlying pulmonary functional status and the etiology of the paralysis. Because most cases of unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis are found incidentally during imaging studies, many patients have no symptoms. The patients that do have symptoms and decreased quality of life are those who have underlying lung disease.

Bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis

Patients with bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis are usually symptomatic and, when symptoms are severe or in the presence of underlying lung pathology, may develop ventilatory failure without medical intervention.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Nader Kamangar, MD, FACP, FCCP, FCCM  Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine, Olive View-UCLA Medical Center; Associate Program Director, Pulmonary and Critical Care Multi-Campus Fellowship Program, Cedars-Sinai/West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs/Los Angeles Kaiser Permanente/Olive View-UCLA Medical Center; Site Director, Pulmonary/Critical Care Fellowship Program, Olive View-UCLA Medical Center

Nader Kamangar, MD, FACP, FCCP, FCCM is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American Association of Bronchology, American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physicians, American Lung Association, American Medical Association, American Thoracic Society, California Thoracic Society, and Society of Critical Care Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Shahriar Pirouz, MD  Resident Physician, Department of Internal Medicine, Olive View University of California Los Angeles Medical Center

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Sat Sharma, MD, FRCPC  Professor and Head, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba; Site Director, Respiratory Medicine, St Boniface General Hospital

Sat Sharma, MD, FRCPC is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, American Thoracic Society, Canadian Medical Association, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Royal Society of Medicine, Society of Critical Care Medicine, and World Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Ryland P Byrd Jr, MD  Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care Medicine, Program Director of Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine Fellowship, James H Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University; Medical Director of Respiratory Therapy, James H Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Ryland P Byrd Jr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Chest Physicians and American Thoracic Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Daniel R Ouellette, MD, FCCP  Associate Professor of Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine Service, Henry Ford Health System

Daniel R Ouellette, MD, FCCP is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Chest Physicians and American Thoracic Society

Disclosure: Boehringer Ingleheim Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Pfizer Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Astra Zeneca Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Timothy D Rice, MD  Associate Professor, Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, St Louis University School of Medicine

Timothy D Rice, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics and American College of Physicians

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Zab Mosenifar, MD  Director, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Director, Women's Guild Pulmonary Disease Institute, Professor and Executive Vice Chair, Department of Medicine, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine

Zab Mosenifar, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physicians, American Federation for Medical Research, and American Thoracic Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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