NYMC Faculty Publications

Hemidiaphragmatic Paralysis Post Stroke Leading to Hypercapneic Respiratory Failure

Author Type(s)

Faculty

DOI

10.7759/cureus.13141

Journal Title

Cureus

First Page

13141

Last Page

13141

Document Type

Case Report

Publication Date

2-4-2021

Department

Medicine

Abstract

Unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis is a rare complication after stroke. We report a case of right-sided hemidiaphragmatic paralysis after stroke in a 51-year-old man who presented with shortness of breath and orthopnea. Chest X-ray (CXR) revealed an elevated right-sided hemidiaphragm. The weakened diaphragmatic contraction from paralyzed right hemidiaphragm resulted in persistent atelectasis of the right lung base and inadequate alveolar ventilation leading to the development of right basal pneumonia with hypercapneic respiratory failure. However, the patient had a remarkable improvement with the appropriate institution of non-invasive ventilation and medical management with intravenous antibiotics.

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