COVID-19-Induced Myopathy and Diaphragmatic Weakness: A Case Report.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus that can induce myopathy, which can evolve into potentially life-threatening muscle weakness, including diaphragmatic paralysis. We present a case report of a 57-year-old female treated in the medical ICU for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) triggered by active COVID-19 infection, who subsequently developed worsening respiratory weakness from underlying COVID-19 myopathy manifesting as respiratory muscle weakness. Our patient's muscle biopsy highlights the development of muscle atrophy without evidence of inflammatory myopathy, making the presence of pre-existing autoimmune myopathy unlikely. While literature cites different biochemical etiologies for the development of myopathy, the exact mechanism behind this phenomenon is not yet defined.

Diaphragmatic Ultrasound Predictors of High-Flow Nasal Cannula Therapeutic Failure in Critically Ill Patients With SARS-CoV-2 Pneumonia.

OBJECTIVES: High flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is frequently used in patients with acute respiratory failure, but there is limited evidence regarding predictors of therapeutic failure. The objective of this study was to assess diaphragmatic ultrasound criteria as predictors of failure to HFNC, defined as the need for orotracheal intubation or death. METHODS: Prospective cohort study including adult patients consecutively admitted to the critical care unit, from July 24 to October 20, 2020, with respiratory failure secondary to SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia who required HFNC. After 12 hours of HFNC initiation we measured ROX index (ratio of SpO2 /FiO2 to respiratory rate), excursion and diaphragmatic contraction speed (diaphragmatic excursion/inspiratory time) by ultrasound, both in supine and prone position. RESULTS: In total, 41 patients were analyzed, 25 succeeded and 16 failed HFNC therapy. At 12 hours, patients who succeeded HFNC therapy presented higher ROX index in supine position (9.8 [9.1-15.6] versus 5.4 [3.9-6.8], P < .01), and higher PaO2 /FiO2 ratio (186 [135-236] versus 117 [103-162] mmHg, P = .03). To predict therapeutic failure, the supine diaphragmatic contraction speed presented sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 57%, while the ROX index presented a sensitivity of 92.8% and a specificity of 75%. CONCLUSIONS: Diaphragmatic contraction speed by ultrasound emerges as a diagnostic complement to clinical tools to predict HFNC success. Future studies should confirm these results.

Mechanical Ventilation in Sepsis

Sepsis can cause lung injury. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, sepsis was the main cause of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), associated with approximately >50% of cases. Mechanical ventilation (MV) may amplify the lung-specific inflammatory response in preinjured lungs by elevating cytokine release and augmenting damage to the alveolar integrity;in addition, sepsis per se constitutes a risk factor for mechanical ventilator-induced lung injury. Inadequate ventilator setting can contribute to increased infection-induced organ failure and uncontrolled systemic inflammatory response. Objectives of invasive MV are to maintain adequate gas exchange: maintain oxygenation goals and adequate ventilation. Regarding ventilatory modes, it has been proposed that volume control-continuous mandatory ventilation may be more protective than pressure control-continuous mandatory ventilation. It may be reasonable to maintain a target arterial partial pressure of oxygen of 60–80mm Hg (Young et al. 2022) or a saturation of peripheral oxygen of 92%–96% for most patients. Sepsis-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction is a major risk factor of weaning failure during MV. Diaphragmatic ultrasound had been a useful tool for predicting successful liberation from MV. Another important aspect of ventilation is the type of sedation to use. © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

True Prevalence of Diaphragmatic Endometriosis and Its Association with Severe Endometriosis: A Call for Awareness and Investigation.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To identify characteristics indicating preoperatively the presence of diaphragmatic endometriosis (DE). DESIGN: Comparison of characteristics of patients with diaphragmatic endometriosis (DE) with characteristics of patients with abdominal endometriosis without diaphragmatic involvement, in a prospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary referral center; endometriosis center. PATIENTS: A total of 1372 patients with histologically proven endometriosis. INTERVENTIONS: Surgery performed laparoscopically under general anesthesia. All patients with suspected endometriosis underwent a complete bilateral inspection of the diaphragm. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Demographic and clinical pathologic characteristics were evaluated using basic descriptive statistics (comparison of the groups using the χ2 test and the Mann-Whitney t test). A logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship (hazard ratio) between symptoms and the presence of DE. DE was diagnosed in 4.7% of the patients (65 of 1372). There was no significant difference between the 2 groups (patients with abdominal endometriosis with or without DE) with regard to typical endometriosis pain (dysmenorrhea, dyschezia, dysuria, and/or dyspareunia). However, in the DE group, diaphragmatic pain was present significantly more often preoperatively (27.7% vs 1.8%, p <.001). Four DE patients (6.1 %) were asymptomatic (with infertility the indication for surgery). In the DE group, 78.4 % had advanced stages of endometriosis (revised American Fertility Society III° or IV°); the left lower pelvis was affected in more patients (73.8%). In cases of ovarian endometriosis, patients with DE showed a significantly higher prevalence of left ovaries involvement (left 63% vs right 35.7%, p <.001). Patients with DE had a significantly higher rate of infertility (49.2% vs 28.7%, p <.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with shoulder pain, infertility, and/or endometriosis in the left pelvis have a significant higher risk of DE and therefore need specific preoperative counseling and if indicated surgical treatment.

Robotic Morgagni's hernia repair in adults - A single centre experience.

BACKGROUND: This study was aimed at reporting the surgical outcomes and evaluating the safety and feasibility of robotic repair of Morgagni's repair in adults. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of seven cases of Morgagni's hernia in adults, managed by robotic method in a tertiary-level thoracic surgery centre over 9 years. A detailed analysis of all perioperative variables including complications was carried out. RESULTS: A total of seven patients underwent Robotic Morgagni's hernia repair during the study period. Males (71.4%) were predominant in the patient cohort. Median age group was 33 years (range: 28-78 years). All patients were pre-obese with median body mass index of 29.4 (range: 27.5-29.9). All patients underwent robotic-assisted hernia repair with no conversions. Omentum was the most common hernial content (100%). In all cases, the defect was reinforced with a composite mesh. Median operative time was 140 min (range: 120-160). Median hospital stay of 3 days (range: 2-4 days). No post-procedural complications. All the patients had complete resolution of presenting symptoms. No recurrence was noted in the median follow-up period of 32 months (range: 6-78 months). CONCLUSION: Robotic-assisted surgical repair of Morgagni's hernia in adults is safe, feasible and effective. However, studies with larger sample size and multi-institutional collaboration are recommended for further conclusions.

A Bilateral Diaphragmatic Paralysis Post-COVID-19 Infection: A Case Report and a Review of the Literature.

The diaphragm is the essential respiratory muscle, and damage can significantly impede a human's capacity for blood oxygenation. During inspiration, the diaphragm domes permit the pleural cavity to expand. Whenever this process is disrupted, it results in decreased thoracic expansion and, as a result, hypoventilation. The phrenic nerve innervates the diaphragmatic muscle via the cervical nerve roots C3, C4, and C5. Diaphragmatic paralysis is a multifactorial consequence caused by trauma, neurogenic diseases, infections, inflammatory responses, and chest operative surgery, with the last being the most prevalent causative factor. Here, we are describing the case of a 52-year-old male patient who has had ongoing dyspnea for months after contracting COVID-19 in December 2021, despite the remission of his previous COVID-19 pneumonia in 2020. An X-ray of the chest revealed no diaphragm elevation, whereas electromyography verified diaphragm impairment. On the conservative treatment plan, he reported persistent dyspnea following a period of pulmonary rehabilitation. To a lesser extent, it is advised to wait at least one year to see if there is any reinnervation, which could benefit his lung capacity. COVID-19 has been linked to many systematic diseases. As a result, COVID-19 will not be restricted to its inflammatory effect on the lungs. In other words, it is a multi-organ systematic syndrome. One of these effects is diaphragm paralysis, which should be considered a post-COVID-19 disease. However, there is a need for more literature to support physicians as guidelines for neurological conditions related to COVID-19 infection.

Diaphragmatic Rupture and Gastric Perforation in a Patient with COVID-19 Pneumonia.

We describe the case of a young female patient admitted to our emergency department during the Italian COVID-19 epidemic, for fever and dry cough associated with symptoms of gastric reflux over the previous 5 days. Lung ultrasound showed diffuse bilateral B lines with irregular pleural thickening, and consolidation with air bronchogram and slight pleural effusion in the lower left lobe. Chest HRCT and abdominal CT scanning with contrast revealed diaphragmatic rupture with gastric perforation, and atelectasis of the left pulmonary lobe with unilateral pleural effusion, diffuse ground-glass opacities and multiple small consolidations in both lobes. A nasopharyngeal swab for 2019-nCoV was positive. A diagnosis of diaphragmatic rupture and gastric perforation in COVID-19 pneumonia was made. The patient was immediately hospitalized and surgically treated. Treatment for COVID-19 and empiric antibiotic therapy were promptly started. LEARNING POINTS: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) can cause fever, dry cough and acute respiratory failure.Cough can result in several complications, including rupture of the diaphragm and abdominal herniation.CT scanning is the gold standard technique to investigate COVID-19 pneumonia and diaphragmatic rupture.

MULTIPLE RIB FRACTURES, PLEURAL EFFUSION AND RIGHT-SIDED DIAPHRAGMATIC HERNIATION OF THE COLON INTO THE CHEST ASSOCIATED WITH CHRONIC COUGH AFTER COVID-19.

Rib fractures are an infrequent consequence of severe cough. In some patients, undetected rib fractures can lead to life-threatening outcomes. The case of a 73-year-old man who presented with shortness of breath and a worsening dry cough from a SARS-CoV-2 infection for 4 weeks is described. In the emergency department, he was found to be hypoxic and hypotensive. Imaging studies revealed a large right pleural effusion, multiple rib fractures, and right-sided herniation of the colon into the chest. He was admitted to the cardiothoracic intensive care unit where he underwent a flexible bronchoscopy, right video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, evacuation of a haemothorax, complete decortication, and repair of a diaphragmatic hernia. This case is an unusual presentation of an amalgamation of rare complications resulting from an unrelenting, poorly controlled SARS-CoV-2 infection cough that prompted rapid recognition and swift action. LEARNING POINTS: Physical examination and plain radiography frequently miss costal arch fractures if no bone pathology or history of trauma is present.Controlling cough is important, and decreases the chances of complications and rupture of organs.New-onset chest pain with a background of chronic cough makes cough-induced rib fracture a probable differential diagnosis. Pleural effusion in a patient presenting with cough and a rib fracture should make clinicians suspect haemothorax.

The relationship between diaphragm thickness and the severity of the disease in pregnant patients with Covid-19.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate whether there is a relationship between diaphragm thickness and disease severity in Covid-19 pregnant subgroups. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this prospective study 100 pregnant patients were enrolled. Thickness of the diaphragm muscle at end-expiration was measured using B-Mode US. Hemoglobin,WBC, NLR, procalcitonin and LDH levels were measured. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of diaphragm thickness, and the diaphragm thickness was thinner in the severe disease group (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups with mild to moderate disease severity (p = 0.708). CONCLUSION: Covid-19 patients who developed serious infection has thinner diaphragms than those who did not. Low diaphragm muscle thickness at the outset of Covid-19 disease, may predispose to poor clinical outcomes. Diaphragmatic ultrasound may be a promising tool to evaluate the risk of Covid-19 disease severity.

Analysis of perceived risk and satisfaction with telematic follow-up in patients and families of congenital diaphragmatic hernia patients during SARS-CoV-2 pandemia.

BACKGROUND: The impact of COVID-19 in families and patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is unknown, this situation has generated uncertainty not only in family members but also in the optimal outpatient follow-up. Telehealth has become a fundamental tool for the follow-up during the pandemic. The objective of this survey is to evaluated the impact of SARS-CoV-2 in families and patients with CDH and the satisfaction with telematic follow-up. METHODS: Telephone survey of patient's caregivers with CHD, aged 1-16 years, followed in neonatal surgery outpatients, from January 31, 2020 to November 15, 2020. The ethical clearance for this study was taken from the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of our Research Institute vide letter number VHIR/239283/01.01.2021. RESULTS: 81 surveys of 100 patients with active follow-up were carried out. There were no refusals in any contacted parents. There were 30 contacts (37%), 44.8% at school and 27.6% from cohabiting family members. Four infections (4.9%) were diagnosed, half symptomatic. In 40 patients (49.4%) the follow-up was telematic, with a mean score of 3.1±1.3 out of 5. For future controls, 65% prefer presential follow-up, 25% alternate and 10% telematics. 50.6% reported greater anxiety and 34.6% (28/81) extreme measures of isolation, being more accentuated in the group of 3-6 years (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The impact of COVID19 in patients with CHD is not greater than in the general pediatric population. Although the incorporation of the telehealth was well valued, most of the caregivers prefer the face-to-face outpatient follow-up.

Efficacy of physiotherapy management on burnout syndrome amongst IT professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive stress. Burnout weakens the energy of an individual which reduces productivity and leaves this individual helpless, hopeless, cynical, and resentful. Thus, an early diagnosis of this syndrome has to be done and ways to prevent the level of progression and complication of burnout syndrome has to be planned. OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of self-supervised Jacobson's relaxation technique along with Bhastrika Pranayama in reducing the level of burnout among the work-from-home IT professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: Thirty participants with burnout syndrome were randomly divided into two groups (15 participants in each group) using random allocation. The experimental group received Jacobson's relaxation technique along with Bhastrika Pranayama, whereas the control group received diaphragmatic breathing exercises and chest expansion exercises. Pre-test and post-test values using Maslach Burnout Inventory were used to interpret the results. RESULTS: Data collected were analyzed statistically by the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. It shows that there is a significant reduction in the level of burnout in the experimental group when compared to the control group at a p-value of 0.001. CONCLUSION: From the results, it is concluded that Jacobson's relaxation technique along with diaphragmatic breathing exercises showed significant improvement in the reduction of burnout levels.

Diaphragmatic Dysfunction due to Neuralgic Amyotrophy After SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination: A Case Report.

Neuralgic amyotrophy is an idiopathic neuropathy characterized by acute-onset pain, typically in the upper extremity or shoulder, followed by weakness of the associated muscles. Phrenic nerve involvement is rare. We report a 63-year-old man who presented with dyspnea and right shoulder pain after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination. His chest radiograph showed an elevated right hemidiaphragm that was absent before vaccination. A pulmonary function test showed a restrictive pattern with a significant reduction (40%) in forced vital capacity in the supine position. Diaphragm ultrasonography revealed a reduction in both diaphragmatic excursion and a thickening fraction of the right hemidiaphragm. Electrophysiological studies suggested a right upper brachial plexopathy. Considering the temporal relationship between the vaccination and absence of other causes, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was thought to be the reason for neuralgic amyotrophy with diaphragmatic dysfunction. As there was no evidence of hypoventilation or sleep disturbance that may require noninvasive ventilation, the patient was followed with conservative treatment with analgesics. During 8 months of follow-up, his shoulder pain was relieved significantly but dyspnea improved only slightly. Neuralgic amyotrophy is an under-diagnosed etiology of diaphragmatic dysfunction and should be considered in patients with dyspnea and shoulder pain.

Contralateral diaphragmatic injury sustained from transhumeral amputation: an unusual case and brief literature review.

Right-sided diaphragmatic injury is an uncommon sequelae from blunt trauma and may be associated with other severe thoracoabdominal injuries. This injury can be easily missed on initial assessment and a high index of suspicion and clinical judgment is required. Recently, we treated a 25-year-old male inflicted with a right-sided diaphragmatic injury after a left-sided transhumeral amputation sustained from an overturned motor vehicle collision with thoracoscopic exploration and reapproximation.

Ultrasound assessment of diaphragmatic dysfunction in patients with SARS-COVID-19 as a parameterorotracheal intubation

Objective: To correlate by ultrasound the diaphragmatic dysfunction in patients with SARS-COVID-19 with the patterns of pulmonary aeration and oxygenation status, as a parameter of orotracheal intubation. Design: Prospective, observational cohort study, carried out between the months of July to September 2020. Setting: emergency area of the “Hospital de Especialidades Dr. Teodoro Maldonado Carbo”. Patients: 15 patients with epidemiological link and clinical picture of respiratory failure due to suspected SARS-COVID-19 were included, who underwent the BLUE protocol, measurement of diaphragmatic excursion, thickness and diaphragmatic thickness delta to perform the correlations having as a cohort point a value of < 1.5 cm of diaphragmatic excursion as the main parameter, in addition to PaFi and gradient Aa as measures of oxygenation status. Variables: Pulmonary involvement and diaphragmatic dysfunction, state of oxygenation by arterial blood gas. Results: Of the patients studied, 10 were men and 5 women, their average age being 44 years old, the average value of the pulmonary aeration score was 27, diaphragmatic excursion 1.29 cm, both diaphragmatic thickness with Delta of diaphragmatic thickening were not presented greater variation. There was a marked decrease in diaphragmatic excursion in patients with greater compromise of oxygenation and perfusion, demonstrating diaphragmatic dysfunction in the presence of hypercapnia and hypoxia hypoxia with an inverse correlation coefficient of -0.841. Conclusions: It was evidenced that patients with higher pulmonary aeration patterns who had lower diaphragmatic excursion and little variability in the Delta of diaphragmatic thickening ended up in orotracheal intubation, so this parameter can be considered when assessing the severity of patients with SARS-COVID 19 especially when deciding orotracheal intubation. © 2022 Sociedad de Anestesiologia de Chile. All rights reserved.

A rare case of a patient with cystinosis and COVID-19 pneumonia with difficult weaning from mechanical ventilation: the "pocus force".

Here, we describe the case of a 39-year-old woman with cystinosis who already suffered from an extra parenchymal pattern of restrictive lung disease and, after SARS-CoV-2-related respiratory failure, had a difficult weaning from mechanical ventilation and required tracheostomy. In this rare disease, due to the mutation of the CTNS-gene located on chromosome 17p13, cystine accumulation in the distal muscle has been reported, even in the absence of manifest muscle fatigue. We were able to evaluate diaphragmatic weakness in this patient through the ultrasonographic evaluation of the diaphragm. We believe that diaphragm ultrasonography could be helpful to identify causes of difficult weaning thus supporting clinical decisions.

Life threatening rupture of the diaphragm after Covid 19 pneumonia: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of diaphragmatic rupture is low; however, it may be life threatening. Normally caused by blunt trauma, some cases are reported after pulmonary infections with extensive coughing. Covid 19 causes pulmonary infections and pneumonia and has been associated with weakening of the diaphragm after prolonged ventilation. We present a patient who suffered from diaphragmatic rupture 2 months after recovering from a severe Covid 19 pneumonia. CASE: A 71 years old male patient presented with massive thoraco-abdominal pain and severe dyspnea. At the time of admission, the patient was diagnosed with rupture of the diaphragm and developed cardiogenic shock. Intraoperatively there was a 4 cm diameter large rupture of the diaphragm with enterothorax (transverse colon, stomach, spleen, parts of the jejunum). Avulsion of the mesenteric arteries made a segmental resection of the jejunum together with the spleen necessary. A jejuno-jejunostomy was performed and organs were replaced into the abdomen. The rupture of the diaphragm underwent primary closure with non-resorbable suture material. The patient has shown an uneventful post-operative course, fully recovered and was discharged on day 11 after surgery. CONCLUSION: Covid 19 is a disease that is known to have various effects on different organs. The diaphragm is only paid heed in case of dysfunction. Also in the setting of Covid 19 it is not known as prominent effector organ. Nevertheless its affection by coughing caused by Covid 19 can lead to life threatening complications.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on congenital diaphragmatic hernia patients: a single-center retrospective study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the treatment of children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). METHODS: We retrospectively collected and compared the data of patients with CDH admitted between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021(study group) with the CDH patients admitted before the pandemic between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2019 (control group). RESULTS: During the pandemic, 41 patients with CDH diagnosed prenatally were transferred to our hospital, and 40 underwent surgical repair. The number of patients treated in our hospital increased by 24.2% compared with the 33 patients before the pandemic. During the pandemic, the overall survival rate, postoperative survival rate and recurrence rate were 85.4%, 87.5% and 7.3%, respectively, and there were no significant differences compared with the control group (75.8%, 83.3% and 9.1%, respectively). The average length of hospital stay in patients admitted during the pandemic was longer than that in the control group (31 days vs. 16 days, P < 0.001), and the incidence of nosocomial infection was higher than that in the control group (19.5% vs. 3%, P = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: CDH patients confirmed to be SARS-CoV-2 infection-free can receive routine treatment. Our data indicate that the implementation of protective measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with appropriate screening and case evaluation, do not have a negative impact on the prognosis of children.

Neonatal intensive care unit on-site surgery for congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

The present study presents the experience gained in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of 'Maria S. Curie' Emergency Clinical Hospital for Children in Bucharest (Romania) after performing a series of bedside surgery interventions on newborns with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). We conducted a retrospective analysis of the data for all patients operated on-site between 2011 and 2020, in terms of pre- and post-operative stability, procedures performed, complications and outcomes. An analysis of a control group was used to provide a reference to the survival rate for non-operated patients. The present study is based on data from 10 cases of newborns, surgically operated on, on average, on the fifth day of life. The main reasons for operating on-site included hemodynamical instability and the need to administer inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) and high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV). There were no unforeseen events during surgery, no immediate postoperative complications and no surgery-related mortality. One noticed drawback was the unfamiliarity of the surgery team with the new operating environment. Our experience indicates that bedside surgery improves the likelihood of survival for critically ill neonates suffering from CDH. No immediate complications were associated with this practice.

[Diaphragmatic rupture and right ipsilateral intercostal hernia in chronic cough]. / Rupture diaphragmatique et hernie intercostale droites homolatérales sur toux aiguë.

INTRODUCTION: We are reporting the case of a 64-year-old patient with chronic cough who has been diagnosed with an intercostal hernia with pleural and hepatic content associated with a diaphragmatic hernia of non-traumatic origin. CASE REPORT: The patient was treated for an acutely febrile cough with signs of respiratory distress. Thoracic scan showed an intercostal hernia containing an encysted hematoma and a right anterior diaphragmatic hernia with epiploic content. The COVID PCR was negative. This is one of the rare reported cases of intercostal hernia associated with a homolateral diaphragmatic rupture. Visceral and thoracic surgery enabled treatment of the two hernial orifices by raphy as well as omentectomy of the necrotic omentum ascending to the right pulmonary hilum. CONCLUSION: These two parietal complications of chronic cough should be considered in case of intercostal flap or acute respiratory distress. Surgery must then be carried out as a matter of urgency to reduce the content of the hernias and treat the musculoaponeurotic dehiscent orifices.