Type 2 respiratory failure secondary to left hemidiaphragmatic paralysis

Abstract

This case describes an uncommon presentation of type 2 respiratory failure secondary to left hemidiaphragmatic paralysis. Emphasis is on the multitude of possible causes of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis and how to manage such a presentation. A 73-year-old man presented to the emergency department with worsening orthopnoea and exertional dyspnoea. He denied any other cardiorespiratory symptoms. The patient had a body mass index (BMI) of 23.3 kg·m−2 (height 163 cm, weight 62 kg). Lung function tests 3 months before admission showed a ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) to forced vital capacity (FVC) of 88%. He had a past medical history of hypothyroidism, for which he was on levothyroxine 50 μg daily, and type 2 diabetes mellitus, for which he was on metformin 500 mg twice daily. Past surgical history included a gastrectomy 3 years prior to admission performed for gastric cancer, which was subsequently complicated by a subphrenic abscess, pancreatitis and residual pancreatic insufficiency. The patient was a lifelong non-smoker, worked in construction, reared birds as a hobby, and lived in an urban area. He was not on any other medication. [extract]