[Amyotrophic neuralgia associated with bilateral phrenic paralysis treated with non-invasive mechanical ventilation]

Abstract

Amyotrophic neuralgia is an uncommon neuropathy characterized by severe unilateral shoulder pain. Isolated or concomitant involvement of other peripheral motor nerves depending on the brachial plexus such as phrenic or laryngeal nerves is unusual(1). Its etiology is unknown, yet several explanatory factors have been proposed. Phrenic nerve involvement, either unilateral or bilateral, is exceedingly rare. Diagnosis relies on anamnesis, functional and imaging investigations and electromyogram. We report the case of a 48-year-old woman with a past history of renal transplantation due to proliferative glomerulonephritis with subsequent transplant rejection, who was eventually diagnosed with amyotrophic neuralgia with bilateral phrenic involvement, and who required sustained non-invasive mechanical ventilation.

Keywords: Amyotrophic neuralgia; Bilateral phrenic paralysis; Neuralgia amiotrófica; Non-invasive mechanical ventilation; Parálisis frénica bilateral; Ventilación mecánica no invasiva.