Abstract

Background: Alterations of the phrenic nerve (FN), as well as of the pulmonary function tests (PFTs), have been described in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). Objective: Our study was aimed at assessing the relationship between FN conduction study and respiratory function in 24 CIDP patients without clinical signs of respiratory failure. Material and Methods: Bilateral FN and right median nerve conduction studies were accomplished, along with emogasanalysis (EGA) and PFTs: maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), forced vital capacity (FVC) and partial CO2 pressure. Results: The amplitude of the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) of the FN was altered in 19 (79%) of our 24 patients, the latency in 22 (92%). Eighteen patients (75%) showed at least one PFT or the pCO2 abnormal. FN alterations showed a low sensitivity and specificity with respect to PFTs or pCO2. Discussion: Our results demonstrated electrophysiological alterations of the FN in a high percentage of CIDP patients. No significant correlation was observed between FN and PFTs alterations.

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