What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Case Report. Population: Unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis (n=1).

What question did this study set out to answer?

Detail the diagnostic evaluation, clinical features, and management options for unilateral and bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis presenting with exertional dyspnea.

April 13, 2026Saudi Medical JournalOpen Access

An elderly man with shortness of breath and abnormal chest x-ray

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Key result

Elevated left hemidiaphragm on CXR reveals unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis in a man with exertional SOB.

Key Points

Detail the diagnostic evaluation, clinical features, and management options for unilateral and bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis presenting with exertional dyspnea.
Clinical case presentation of a 73-year-old male presenting with exertional shortness of breath for 2 weeks.
Review of clinical diagnostic modalities, including chest radiography, pulmonary function testing, and electromyography.
Frontal chest radiograph reveals an elevated hemidiaphragm, which serves as a sensitive but nonspecific indicator of unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis.
Vital capacity in unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis falls to 70% to 80% of predicted values, decreasing an additional 15% to 25% when measured in the supine position.
Surgical plication of the paralyzed hemidiaphragm improves physiological respiratory metrics and relieves clinical manifestations in severely symptomatic individuals.

Study Design

Type

Case Report (n=1)

Structured PICO

Population

A 73-year-old male presenting with shortness of breath for 2 weeks, mainly on exertion.

A case report describing the clinical presentation of a 73-year-old man with exertional shortness of breath and an abnormal chest x-ray.

Discussion

No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.

Implication

Warrants thorough evaluation of exertional dyspnea in elderly patients; hypothesis-generating and should not yet change practice.

Cite This Study

Mohammed A. Yassin (2007) conducted a case report in Unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis (n=1). A 73-year-old man presenting with shortness of breath on exertion was diagnosed with unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis based on an elevated left hemidiaphragm on chest x-ray.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69dc87ea3afacbeac03e9f70 https://doi.org/10.15537/1658-3175.4075

Topics

Pericardial disease

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An elderly man with shortness of breath and abnormal chest x-ray

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Topics

An elderly man with shortness of breath and abnormal chest x-ray

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Topics

Also Consider