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An Unusual Cause of Dyspnea in a Patient with Relapsing Breast Cancer

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Abstract

Bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis (BDP) is usually caused by anatomic lesions of both phrenic nerves or generalized neurologic diseases. BDP has also been observed during and after infections, associated with mediastinal tumors, or may have an idiopathic etiology. A 57-year-old woman with breast cancer had progressive dyspnea that worsened when in the supine position. Lung function tests and phrenic nerve stimulation revealed bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis. Clinical suspicion of BDP should always be raised in patients suffering from progressive dyspnea and orthopnea. Determination of (VC) when standing and in the supine position and measurement of trandiaphragmatic pressure should reveal this uncommon diagnosis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pulmonology, St. Savvas Hospital, Athens, Greece

    Alexandra Chroneou, Paraskevi Katsaounou, Maria Gangadi, Stavros Pampukos, Konstantinos Kougianos, Nikolaos Zias & George Politis

  2. Karatza 8 Papagou, Athens, Greece, 15669

    Alexandra Chroneou

Authors
  1. Alexandra Chroneou
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  2. Paraskevi Katsaounou
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  3. Maria Gangadi
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  4. Stavros Pampukos
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  5. Konstantinos Kougianos
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  6. Nikolaos Zias
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  7. George Politis
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Correspondence to Alexandra Chroneou.

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Chroneou, A., Katsaounou, P., Gangadi, M. et al. An Unusual Cause of Dyspnea in a Patient with Relapsing Breast Cancer. Lung 184, 245–248 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-005-2583-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-005-2583-y

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