Serial ultrasound assessment of diaphragmatic function and clinical outcome in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Background: Diaphragmatic assessment by ultrasound (US) is a non-invasive and useful method in the clinical management of patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The aim of our observational study was to evaluate the impact of serial assessment of the diaphragmatic function by US on long-term outcomes in a series of patients suffering from ALS and to correlate US indices of diaphragmatic function and respiratory function tests with these outcomes.

Methods: A cohort of 39 consecutive patients has been followed up to 24 months.

Prevalence and outcomes of diaphragmatic dysfunction assessed by ultrasound technology during acute exacerbation of COPD: A pilot study.

Background And Objective: The prevalence and clinical consequences of diaphragmatic dysfunction (DD) during acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) remain unknown. The aim of this study was (i) to evaluate the prevalence of DD as assessed by ultrasonography (US) and (ii) to report the impact of DD on non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) failure, length of hospital stay and mortality in severe AECOPD admitted to respiratory intensive care unit (RICU).

Methods: Forty-one consecutive AECOPD patients with respiratory acidosis admitted over a 12-month period to the RICU of the University Hospital of Modena were studied.

Ultrasound assessment of diaphragmatic function in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Background And Objective: Evaluation of diaphragm function in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is critical in determining when to commence non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIV). Currently, forced vital capacity (FVC) and sniff nasal inspiratory pressure (SNIP) are volitional measures for this evaluation, but require collaboration and are poorly specific. The primary aim of this study was to assess whether diaphragmatic thickness measured by ultrasound (US) correlates with lung function impairment in ALS patients.

Noninvasive and invasive ventilation and enteral nutrition for ALS in Italy.

Introduction: We performed a population-based study to assess amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) survival after noninvasive ventilation (NIV), invasive ventilation (IV), and enteral nutrition (EN).

Methods: We included patients diagnosed from 2000 to 2009 in Modena, where a prospective registry and a Motor Neuron Diseases Centre have been active since 2000.

Results: Of the 193 incident cases, 47.

The impact of clinical factors, riluzole and therapeutic interventions on ALS survival: a population based study in Modena, Italy.

The prognostic role of riluzole, enteral nutrition (EN), non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and interdisciplinary care in ALS is still debated. A population based study has been performed focusing on ALS survival, with particular attention to prognostic factors and therapeutic intervention. All patients diagnosed with ALS between 2000 and 2009 and residing in Modena, Italy, have been registered.

Fulminant multifocal motor neuropathy: a report of two cases.

Multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) shows stepwise progression over decades. The multifocal weakness usually remains asymmetric, confined to distal limb muscles, while sparing cranial, phrenic, and sensory nerves. One electrophysiological hallmark is partial motor conduction block (CB) at sites not exposed to compression; whether CB is an essential feature remains debatable.