Overview
What is diaphragmatic paralysis?
What is the pathophysiology of diaphragmatic paralysis?
What causes unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis?
What causes bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis?
What is the prevalence of diaphragmatic paralysis?
What are the sexual predilections of diaphragmatic paralysis?
What is the prognosis of unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis?
What is the prognosis of bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis?
What are the morbidity and mortality associated with unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis?
What is the morbidity associated with bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis?
Presentation
Which clinical history findings are characteristic of bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis?
Which clinical history findings are characteristic of unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis?
What are the signs and symptoms of bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis?
Which physical findings are characteristic of diaphragmatic paralysis?
Which physical findings are characteristic of unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis?
Which physical findings are characteristic of bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis?
What are the possible complications of diaphragmatic paralysis?
DDX
Which conditions are included in the differential diagnoses of bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis?
Workup
What is the role of lab tests in the diagnosis of diaphragmatic paralysis?
What is the role of chest radiography in the workup of diaphragmatic paralysis?
What is the role of fluoroscopy in the workup of diaphragmatic paralysis?
What is the role of CT scanning in the workup of diaphragmatic paralysis?
What is the role of MRI in the workup of diaphragmatic paralysis?
What is the role of ultrasonography in the workup of diaphragmatic paralysis?
What is the role of pulmonary function testing in the workup of diaphragmatic paralysis?
What is the role of inspiratory pressure testing in the workup of diaphragmatic paralysis?
What is the role of electromyography in the workup of diaphragmatic paralysis?
What is the role of transdiaphragmatic pressure testing in the workup of diaphragmatic paralysis?
Treatment
How is unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis treated?
What is the role of diaphragmatic plication in the treatment of unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis?
How is bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis treated?
What is the role of surgery in the treatment of bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis?
-
Acute unilateral left diaphragmatic paralysis in a patient with moderately severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The patient previously was asymptomatic but developed class III dyspnea following the new event.
-
Fluoroscopy of elevated left hemidiaphragm in a patient with unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis. The diaphragm moves paradoxically upward during inspiration.
-
Fluoroscopy of elevated left hemidiaphragm in a patient with unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis. The diaphragm does not move during expiration. For confirmation, a sniff test is required.
-
Radiograph of a patient with bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis displaying low lung volumes.