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Case Reports
. 2021 Jun;28(6):2138-2141.
doi: 10.1111/ene.14814.

Neuropathy of the phrenic nerve associated with antiganglioside antibodies

Anouk Serrien  1 , Katrien Sanders  1   2 , Kristl G Claeys  1   3 , Koen Poesen  4   5 , Dries Testelmans  6 , Philip Van Damme  1   7   8
Affiliations
Case Reports

Neuropathy of the phrenic nerve associated with antiganglioside antibodies

Anouk Serrien et al. Eur J Neurol. 2021 Jun.

Abstract

Background and purpose: Antiganglioside antibodies have been implicated in several autoimmune-mediated neuropathies, and binding of these antibodies can result in inflammatory changes of the nerves. Diaphragmatic paralysis is a rare condition, mostly arising from diseases affecting the phrenic nerve, neuromuscular junction, or skeletal muscle.

Objectives: In this case series, we identified five patients with diaphragmatic paralysis due to unilateral or bilateral neuropathy of the phrenic nerve associated with the presence of antiganglioside antibodies (immunoglobulin G anti-GT1a antibodies and immunoglobulin M anti-GM1 antibodies).

Discussion: The combination of an isolated phrenic nerve palsy with anti-GM1 antibodies has only once been described. On the other hand, the association of anti-GT1a antibodies with phrenic nerve palsy has never been reported before.

Conclusions: We report an association between phrenic nerve palsy and the presence of antiganglioside antibodies, but it remains unclear if there is a causal relationship. Further studies are needed to explore this matter.

Keywords: antiganglioside antibodies; neuromuscular diseases; neuropathy of the phrenic nerve.

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References

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