Neuropathy of the phrenic nerve associated with antiganglioside antibodies.

Background And Purpose: Antiganglioside antibodies have been implicated in several autoimmune-mediated neuropathies, and binding of these antibodies can result in inflammatory changes of the nerves. Diaphragmatic paralysis is a rare condition, mostly arising from diseases affecting the phrenic nerve, neuromuscular junction, or skeletal muscle.

Objectives: In this case series, we identified five patients with diaphragmatic paralysis due to unilateral or bilateral neuropathy of the phrenic nerve associated with the presence of antiganglioside antibodies (immunoglobulin G anti-GT1a antibodies and immunoglobulin M anti-GM1 antibodies).

Discussion: The combination of an isolated phrenic nerve palsy with anti-GM1 antibodies has only once been described. On the other hand, the association of anti-GT1a antibodies with phrenic nerve palsy has never been reported before.

Conclusions: We report an association between phrenic nerve palsy and the presence of antiganglioside antibodies, but it remains unclear if there is a causal relationship. Further studies are needed to explore this matter.