Point-of-Care Ultrasound to Assess Diaphragmatic Paralysis in Resource-Limited Setting: A Case Series

Abstract

Abduleazize Hussen,1 Menbeu Sultan,2 Muluneh Tufa Kidane,2 Melaku Getachew,1 Temesgen Beyene Abicho,3 Selome F Yewedalsew,4 Getaw Worku Hassen5 1Haramaya University, Department of Emergency Medicine, Harar, Ethiopia; 2Saint Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 3Addis Ababa University, Black Lion Specialized Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine, Harar, Ethiopia; 4SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Brooklyn, NY, USA; 5New York Medical College, Metropolitan Hospital Center, New York, NY, USACorrespondence: Abduleazize Hussen, Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Haramaya University, Po Box: 235, Tel [phone], Email [email protected]: Diaphragmatic dysfunction can arise from various factors, and Guillain–Barre syndrome, characterized by acute inflammatory polyradiculoneuropathy, is one such cause that may result in respiratory failure due to diaphragmatic paralysis. Prompt recognition and timely intervention, including airway protection and addressing the underlying pathology, are crucial for achieving optimal patient outcomes. Point-of-care ultrasound, specifically utilizing the M-mode function, can be employed for individuals displaying symptoms of diaphragmatic paralysis. This diagnostic approach is uncomplicated an effective tool for serial follow-up. In this context, we present a case series involving three patients with diaphragmatic paralysis in a limited-resource setting.Keywords: diaphragmatic paralysis, point-of-care Ultrasound, resource-limited setting

Keywords

• diaphragmatic paralysis
• point-of-care ultrasound
• resource-limited setting