CTICasesTransient phrenic nerve palsy secondary to brachial plexus block
Imaging findings
Chest radiograph demonstrates acute elevation of the right hemidiaphragm and associated right basal atelectasis in a patient who recently underwent a shoulder arthroplasty with an interscalene brachial plexus nerve block.
Key takeaways
Transient phrenic nerve palsy is a known, usually self-limiting complication of interscalene brachial plexus nerve blocks due to local anesthetic spread to the phrenic nerve roots. It can cause transient hemidiaphragm elevation and respiratory symptoms, particularly in patients with underlying lung disease or sleep apnea.
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