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Case Reports
. 2024 Jan-Feb;74(1):744348.
doi: 10.1016/j.bjane.2021.12.005. Epub 2021 Dec 25.

Ultrasound evaluation of diaphragm function in patients with cervical spinal cord injury: case report

Luisa María Charco-Roca  1 , Elena Simón-Polo  2 , Pablo Crispín Cuesta-Montero  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Ultrasound evaluation of diaphragm function in patients with cervical spinal cord injury: case report

Luisa María Charco-Roca et al. Braz J Anesthesiol. 2024 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

Ultrasound evaluation of diaphragm function allows the detection of diaphragm dysfunction and the adaptation of ventilatory support in patients admitted to intensive care units. The studied patient had a C3 spinal cord injury. Ultrasound evaluation of diaphragm mobility showed that the patient suffered diaphragm dysfunction. A tracheotomy was indicated, and early ventilatory support was initiated. Ultrasound evaluation of diaphragm function in patients with cervical spinal cord injury is a useful and simple technique. It provides fast and reliable data for the diagnosis of respiratory insufficiency of neuromuscular origin.

Keywords: Diaphragmatic paralysis; Lung ultrasound; Spinal cord trauma; Tracheostomy, case report.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Cervical nuclear magnetic resonance. (a) Sagittal section with anterior ligament injury image at the level of C5 to C7 vertebral bodies. (b) Cross section at the level of the C3 vertebral body showing alteration of the signal suggestive of myelopathy.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Ultrasound images. Right diaphragm exploration. (a) 2D mode. (b) M-mode ultrasound of the diaphragm. Measurement of diaphragm thickness using M-mode at the level of the right hemidiaphragm. Is visualized as 3 parallel lines. Number 1 represents the inspiratory thickness and number 2, the expiratory thickness.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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