Respiratory treatment in a patient with nemaline myopathy

Abstract

Respiratory involvement of nemaline myopathy is evident on the diaphragm and intercostal muscles function. The present case study aimed to describe the characteristics of the respiratory physiotherapeutic treatment in a patient with nemaline myopathy. Here, we describe a case of a 43-year-old woman with nemaline myopathy undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation during short hospital admission for an acute exacerbation. At the time of hospitalisation, the patient was already under oxygen therapy (1 L/min) and noninvasive home ventilation using bi-level positive airway pressure with a nasal interface. Supplementary therapeutic exercises were implemented in addition to daily nasal noninvasive ventilation. At discharge, ultrasound examination revealed increased diaphragm trophism if compared with data obtained at hospital admission. contractures and articular deformations are also usually present.2 In preparing this case report, we followed the CARE criteria.6 To date, no report has been published about the short-term effect of respiratory physiotherapeutic treatment, in patients with NM. Here we describe a case of a woman with NM undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation during short hospital admission for an acute exacerbation.