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Neuralgic amyotrophy with phrenic nerve involvement
Author(s) -
Lahrmann Heinz,
Grisold Wolfgang,
Authier F. Jérôme,
Zifko Udo A.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-4598(199904)22:4<437::aid-mus2>3.0.co;2-f
Subject(s) - phrenic nerve , amyotrophy , medicine , electromyography , anatomy , anesthesia , physical medicine and rehabilitation , atrophy , respiratory system
Abstract Phrenic nerve involvement is a rare feature in patients with neuralgic amyotrophy (Parsonage–Turner syndrome). We report four patients who initially presented with severe dyspnea in the absence of lung disease. All patients had a history of infectious disease or surgery and of pain of sudden onset in the shoulder region. Weakness of the proximal arm was observed in only one. Radiographic and pulmonary function studies, phrenic nerve conduction studies, and needle electromyogram (EMG) of the diaphragm documented diaphragmatic paralysis which was unilateral in one patient, bilateral in two patients, and recurrent on alternating sides in another one. Follow‐up studies remained abnormal for up to 4 years. Neuralgic amyotrophy with phrenic nerve involvement should be considered in patients presenting with severe, unexplained dyspnea of sudden onset. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 22: 437–442, 1999.