Insidious phrenic nerve involvement in postpolio syndrome

Unilateral Phrenic Nerve Palsy in Infants with Congenital Zika Syndrome

This case series of right unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis suggests peripheral nervous system involvement.

Since the first identification of neonatal microcephaly cases associated with congenital Zika virus infection in Brazil in 2015, a distinctive constellation of clinical features of congenital Zika syndrome has been described. Fetal brain disruption sequence is hypothesized to underlie the devastating effects of the virus on the central nervous system. However, little is known about the effects of congenital Zika virus infection on the peripheral nervous system. We describe a series of 4 cases of right unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis in infants with congenital Zika syndrome suggesting peripheral nervous system involvement and Zika virus as a unique congenital infectious cause of this finding. All the patients described also had arthrogryposis (including talipes equinovarus) and died from complications related to progressive respiratory failure.

Bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis in an HIV patient: Second reported case and literature review

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease is widespread all over the world, and the neurological and respiratory complications have been described previously. Peripheral neuropathy is one of the commonest neurological complications of the HIV infection. In this report we describe a HIV positive male smoker who was admitted to the hospital because of community acquired pneumonia. Bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis was diagnosed for which no other cause was found and was attributed to the HIV infection. Isolated phrenic neuropathy and diaphragmatic paralysis in an HIV positive patient is extremely rare and only a single such association has been described previously.

Diaphragmatic paralysis associated with herpes zoster and HIV-tuberculosis co-infection

Motor complications after herpes zoster are not uncommon. There have been reports of muscular paralysis following herpes zoster. The association between diaphragmatic paralysis and zoster was first reported in 1949 by Halpern. The case presented below showed diaphragmatic involvement following herpes zoster in a HIV-tuberculosis coinfected patient.

Isolated Bell's palsy - an unusual presentation of dengue infection

Dengue fever is a very common arthropod - borne infection in tropical countries. Neurological complications in dengue fever are relatively uncommon and among these, isolated cranial neuropathies have been reported only very rarely. We present an unusual neurological complication of Bell's palsy (lower motor neuron 7 th nerve palsy) associated with dengue infection. To the best of our knowledge, there have been very few documented cases of Flavivirus causing isolated Bell's palsy.

Diaphragmatic paralysis: a rare consequence of dengue fever

Background

Dengue is considered one of the most common mosquito borne illnesses in the world. Although its clinical course is usually uneventful, complications have rarely been known to arise. These include neurological manifestations such as neuropathies.

Case presentation

We report a middle aged patient from urban Sri Lanka who developed diaphragmatic paralysis secondary to phrenic neuropathy a month after recovering from dengue fever. He was managed conservatively and made a full recovery subsequently.

Conclusion

Isolated phrenic nerve palsy causing diaphragmatic paralysis should be considered a recognized complication of Dengue fever. A patient usually gains full recovery with conservative management.