Respiratory failure secondary to diabetic neuropathy affecting the phrenic nerve

E W Tang; D L Jardine; K Rodins; J Evans

doi:10.1046/j.1464-5491.2003.00994.x

Respiratory failure secondary to diabetic neuropathy affecting the phrenic nerve

Diabet Med. 2003 Jul;20(7):599-601. doi: 10.1046/j.1464-5491.2003.00994.x.

Authors

E W Tang¹, D L Jardine, K Rodins, J Evans

Affiliation

¹ Department of General Medicine, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand.

PMID: 12823244
DOI: 10.1046/j.1464-5491.2003.00994.x

Abstract

We report a patient with Type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated by neuropathy affecting the phrenic nerves, resulting in fatal respiratory failure. Diabetic mononeuropathy is common and usually recovers spontaneously, but bilateral phrenic nerve involvement appears to be uncommon and difficult to treat. The pathology of diabetic mononeuropathy is not well understood and we believe this to be the first histological report of a phrenic nerve biopsy in this condition.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Aged
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / complications*
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / physiopathology
Diabetic Neuropathies / complications*
Diabetic Neuropathies / physiopathology
Fatal Outcome
Humans
Male
Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / economics*
Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology
Phrenic Nerve*
Respiratory Insufficiency / etiology*
Respiratory Paralysis / physiopathology