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Updated: Mar 24, 2026
Author Spotlight: Unraveling the Impact of Mechanical Ventilation on Diaphragm Function and Patient Outcomes
Published on: November 3, 2023
Computed tomography confirms a reduction in diaphragm thickness in mechanically ventilated patients
Gi Dong Lee1, Ho Cheol Kim2, Jung-Wan Yoo1
1Department of Internal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju, Republic of Korea.; Gyeongsang Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Republic of Korea.
Purpose:
Patients who require mechanical ventilation (MV) may experience diaphragm atrophy, which may delay the discontinuation of MV. Here, we used computed tomographic (CT) scans to confirm this phenomenon.
Method And Materials:
Patients who underwent two chest CT scans while on MV were retrospectively evaluated. Diaphragm thickness was measured using a three-dimensional CT image processing program.
Results:
Thirteen patients, including 8 men, who underwent 26 CT scans were assessed. The mean age was 67.8 ± 7.5 years. The interval between CT scans was 18.4 ± 14.9 days. The first CT scans revealed that the mean thicknesses of the left and right sides of the diaphragm were 3.8 ± 0.6 and 3.9 ± 0.8 mm, respectively (total: 7.7 ± 1.4 mm). These values were significantly reduced to 3.4 ± 0.6 and 3.5 ± 0.9 mm, respectively, (total: 6.9 ± 1.5 mm) after the second scan (P < .01). No significant change in body weight (57.3 ± 12.6 vs. 56.7 ± 11.6 kg) or body mass index (21.8 ± 5.1 vs. 21.6 ± 4.8 kg/m(2)) was observed.
Conclusion:
Computed tomography confirmed that diaphragm thickness was reduced in critically ill patients who underwent MV.
