Diaphragm ultrasonography: A picture is worth a thousand words
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: The diaphragm is the primary muscle of inspiration. Diaphragm dysfunction is surprisingly common, presenting in acute critical care, cardiorespiratory diseases, cancer cachexia, endocrine disorders, and neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases amongst other scenarios (Laghi et al., 2021). Assessment of diaphragm performance involves measurement of transdiaphragmatic pressure, which assesses the force‐generating capacity of the diaphragm in situ, typically by eliciting a twitch contraction of the diaphragm by electrical or magnetic activation of the phrenic nerves. A limitation of the approach, however, is that it does not reveal explicit detail of the shortening capacity of the muscle during contraction, which is an important aspect of diaphragm performance. The dome‐shaped diaphragm muscle flattens during contraction increasing intra‐thoracic volume, thereby decreasing intra‐thoracic pressure, facilitating airflow into the lungs during inspiration. Work (force × distance) and power (force × velocity) are key measures of muscle performance, and therefore tools to complement the assessment of diaphragm force are warranted and could have additional experimental and clinical value. In this issue of Experimental Physiology, Illidi and Romer (2025) combine ultrasonography and respiratory manometry to quantify the change in contractile performance of the diaphragm during fatigue in healthy humans.
Source: Experimental Physiology
DOI: 10.1113/ep092452
Author: Ken D. O'Halloran
Institution: University College Cork
Language: English
Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,800
OpenAlex ID: W4405120786