ABSTRACT
A boy delivered at 32 weeks' gestation developed bilateral pneumothoraces that required multiple chest drains. He was dependent on the ventilator for 52 days because of bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis. Electrophysiological studies confirmed phrenic nerve damage. He eventually made a full recovery. It is likely that this damage was caused by the insertion of the chest drains.
Subject(s)
Drainage/adverse effects , Infant, Premature, Diseases/etiology , Phrenic Nerve/injuries , Respiratory Paralysis/etiology , Chest Tubes , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Infant, Premature, Diseases/therapy , Male , Neural Conduction , Phrenic Nerve/physiopathology , Pneumothorax/therapy , Respiration, ArtificialABSTRACT
A simple and reliable method of recording medial and lateral plantar nerve sensory action potentials is described. Potentials are recorded with surface electrodes at the ankle using surface electrodes stimulating orthodromically at the sole. The normal values obtained are higher in amplitude than those obtained by the method described by Guiloff and Sherratt and are detectable in older subjects aged over 80 years. The procedure is valuable in the diagnosis of early peripheral neuropathy, mononeuritis multiplex, tarsal tunnel syndrome and in differentiation between pre and post ganglionic L5 S1 lesions.
