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Phrenic Nerve Injury from Birth Trauma

Pathophysiology
1. Associated with Brachial Birth Trauma
2. Unilateral diaphragm paralysis
Signs
1. Respiratory distress
2. Diminished breath sounds on affected side
Radiology: Ultrasound or Fluoroscopy of diaphragm
1. Diaphragm elevated on affected side
2. Affected diaphragm moves upward with inspiration
Management
1. Pulmonary toilet while resolving
2. Refractory cases
  1. Diaphragmatic plication
  2. Phrenic nerve pacing
Course
1. Resolves over 1 to 3 months

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This page was written by Scott Moses, MD. This page was last revised before 5/10/08, prior to consistent tracking of revision date. This page was last published on 5/10/2008. Please send comments and questions to the editor. Contact information may be found on the page About the Family Practice Notebook. These pages are best viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0.