Capnography for Assessing Nocturnal Hypoventilation and Predicting Compliance with Subsequent Noninvasive Ventilation in Patients with ALS

BACKGROUND: Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) suffer from hypoventilation, which can easily worsen during sleep. This study evaluated the efficacy of capnography monitoring in patients with ALS for assessing nocturnal hypoventilation and predicting good compliance with subsequent noninvasive ventilation (NIV) treatment. METHODS: Nocturnal monitoring and brief wake screening by capnography/pulse oximetry, functional scores, and other respiratory signs were assessed in 26 patients with ALS. Twenty-one of these patients were treated with NIV and had their treatment compliance evaluated. RESULTS: Nocturnal capnography values were reliable and strongly correlated with the patients' respiratory symptoms (R(2) = 0.211-0.305, p = 0.004-0.021). The duration of nocturnal hypercapnea obtained by capnography exhibited a significant predictive power for good compliance with subsequent NIV treatment, with an area-under-the-curve value of 0.846 (p = 0.018). In contrast, no significant predictive values for nocturnal pulse oximetry or functional scores for nocturnal hypoventilation were found. Brief waking supine capnography was also useful as a screening tool before routine nocturnal capnography monitoring. CONCLUSION: Capnography is an efficient tool for assessing nocturnal hypoventilation and predicting good compliance with subsequent NIV treatment of ALS patients, and may prove useful as an adjunctive tool for assessing the need for NIV treatment in these patients

Reversible reddish skin color change in a patient with compressive radial neuropathy

Background The motor and sensory symptoms caused by compressive radial neuropathy are well-known, but the involvement of the autonomic nervous system or the dermatologic symptoms are less well known. We report an unusual case of compressive radial neuropathy with reversible reddish skin color change. Case presentation A 42-year-old man was referred for left wrist drop, finger drop and a tingling sensation over the lateral dorsum of the left hand. Based on clinical information, neurologic examinations and electrophysiologic studies, he was diagnosed with compressive radial neuropathy. In addition, a reddish skin color change was observed at the area of radial sensory distribution. After two weeks of observation without specific treatment, the skin color had recovered along with a marked improvement in weakness and aberrant sensation. Conclusions Compressive radial neuropathy with a reversible reddish skin color change is unusual and is considered to be due to vasomotor dysfunction of the radial autonomic nerve. Compressive radial neuropathy is presented with not only motor and sensory symptoms but also autonomic symptoms; therefore, careful examination and inspection are needed at diagnosis