SIGNIFICANCE OF SONOGRAPHY IN THE INTENSIVE-CARE UNIT FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF DIAPHRAGMATIC PARALYSIS

Purpose: To assess the value of bedside sonography in the detection of diaphragmatic paralysis in patients in the intensive care unit, Metho ds: In this study, 100 patients who were admitted to the intensive car e unit after thoracic operations were evaluated. Sonography of each he midiaphragm was performed with coronal scans at the mid-axillary line on both sides with the patient supine. Absent and paradoxical diaphrag matic movement was considered to be indicative of diaphragmatic paraly sis. All patients underwent additional fluoroscopy within 5 days. Resu lts: In 13 patients (13%) sonography revealed diaphragmatic paralysis. All these results were confirmed with fluoroscopy resulting in a sens itivity and specificity for sonography of 100%. Conclusion: Bedside so nography of the diaphragm at the intensive care unit is a reliable too l for diagnosing diaphragmatic paralysis.