A novel sonographic sign of paradoxical movement of diaphragmatic paralysis in pediatric patients after cardiovascular surgery

Abstract

We demonstrate a quick sliding of the descending aorta toward the unaffected side of the diaphragm as a new sonographic finding during breathing in pediatric patients with diaphragmatic paralysis. We present three pediatric patients with diaphragmatic paralysis after cardiovascular surgery with this new sonographic finding. This finding consisted of paradoxical movement of the diaphragm as shown by fluorography. This sonographic sign was only obtained by a B-mode scan in the subxiphoid plane, was easily demonstrated at the patient's bedside, and may be useful for diagnosing severe diaphragmatic paralysis.

Keywords

• Diaphragmatic paralysis
• Phrenic nerve paralysis
• Sonography
• Ultrasound
• Fluorography
• Paradoxical movement