Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 26, 2025
09:43
Functional and Morphological Assessment of Diaphragm Innervation by Phrenic Motor Neurons
Published on: May 25, 2015
17.8K
COVID-19 associated phrenic nerve mononeuritis: a case series.
Sheonagh MacPhail Law1, Kathryn Scott2, Ahmed Alkarn2,3
1Respiratory Medicine, NHS Forth Valley, Stirling, UK sheonagh.law@nhs.scot.
Thorax
|April 23, 2022
Summary
Post-COVID-19 pneumonia patients can develop persistent hemidiaphragm elevation. This may indicate phrenic nerve mononeuritis, a potential complication of the viral infection.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Neurology
- Radiology
Background:
- COVID-19 pneumonia can lead to various post-viral complications.
- Hemidiaphragm elevation is an uncommon finding on chest X-rays.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize hemidiaphragm elevation in patients after COVID-19 pneumonia.
- To investigate the underlying cause of persistent hemidiaphragm elevation.
Main Methods:
- Screening of 467 chest X-rays (CXRs) for hemidiaphragm elevation.
- Diaphragm ultrasound, pulmonary function tests, muscle function tests, and neurophysiology in symptomatic patients.
- Analysis of phrenic nerve function.
Main Results:
- 19 (4.1%) CXRs showed elevated hemidiaphragm; 15 (3.2%) had new, persistent elevation for an average of 7 months.
- Ultrasound revealed reduced/paradoxical diaphragmatic movements in 8 patients (4 with reduced thickening fraction).
- Neurophysiology studies excluded critical illness neuropathy/myopathy.
Conclusions:
- COVID-19 may cause phrenic nerve mononeuritis in some patients.
- Persistent hemidiaphragm elevation can be a sequela of COVID-19.
- Further investigation into phrenic nerve involvement post-COVID-19 is warranted.
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