Document Detail


Detection of upper airway muscle involvement in neuromuscular disorders using the flow-volume loop.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  3720386     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Abnormal contours of the flow-volume loop, ie, flow oscillations and inspiratory flow plateaux, have been noted in disorders affecting upper-airway muscular function. In this study, we assessed the incidence and the value of these contours as a test of bulbar and upper-airway muscular involvement in neuromuscular disease. We therefore compared flow-volume loops and pulmonary function test results between ten patients with (group 1) and 20 patients without (group 2) clinically apparent bulbar muscle involvement in neuromuscular disease. An abnormal flow-volume loop occurred significantly more often in group 1 than in group 2 (9/10 or 90 percent vs 3/20 or 15 percent, respectively; p less than 0.001) and predicted bulbar and upper-airway muscle involvement with high sensitivity (90 percent), specificity (85 percent) and efficiency (87 percent). Based on commonly used spirometric criteria, upper-airway obstruction was not more common in group 1 than in group 2 (1/10 vs 2/20); however, all three patients with upper-airway obstruction suggested by these criteria had an abnormal flow-volume loop. Following this study, three patients incurred severe respiratory complications. All three patients had previously shown an abnormal flow-volume loop. We conclude that in patients with neuromuscular disease, involvement of the bulbar and upper-airway muscles is frequently associated with an abnormal contour of the flow-volume loop. Recognition of flow oscillations or flow plateaux on flow-volume loops in these patients seems important, since they may be potential markers of severe respiratory complications.
Authors:
W Vincken; G Elleker; M G Cosio
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Comparative Study; Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Chest     Volume:  90     ISSN:  0012-3692     ISO Abbreviation:  Chest     Publication Date:  1986 Jul 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1986-08-04     Completed Date:  1986-08-04     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0231335     Medline TA:  Chest     Country:  UNITED STATES    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  52-7     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Aged
Female
Forced Expiratory Volume
Humans
Lung Diseases, Obstructive / diagnosis*,  etiology,  physiopathology
Lung Volume Measurements
Male
Middle Aged
Neurologic Examination
Neuromuscular Diseases / complications,  diagnosis*,  physiopathology
Pulmonary Ventilation*
Respiratory Function Tests
Vital Capacity

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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