Ultrasound-guided femoral and sciatic nerve block in a patient with shrinking lung syndrome: A case report

Shrinking lung syndrome (SLS) is a pulmonary complication mainly associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), although it is also seen in other rheumatologic conditions. Its prevalence is thought to be 0.5-1% among patients with SLE. This syndrome is characterized by progressive dyspnea, episodic pleuritic chest pain, a restrictive pattern on pulmonary function tests, bilateral diaphragm elevation, and reduced lung volumes with no evidence of parenchymal lung disease. General anesthesia in patients with SLS may be associated with increased mortality and morbidity, while neuraxial anesthesia or peripheral nerve blocks can be safe options. Herein, we report a case of ultrasound-guided femoral and sciatic nerve block for unilateral knee septic arthritis debridement in a patient with SLS. The patient was protected from both prolonged mechanical ventilation and pulmonary complications by performing the femoral and sciatic nerve block for this operation.