Pseudoparalytic shoulder in a CoViD-19-positive patient treated with CPAP: A case report

The Authors report a case of a 46 years old man affected by severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by Novel Coronavirus 2019 and admitted to our hospital. The patient required continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP) in the hospital ward and subsequently orotracheal intubation while in intensive care unit. The patient laid in lateral decubitus position for several hours every day while receiving CPAP therapy. During the hospitalization, he reported limitation of range of motion of the left upper limb, without any history of acute or previous trauma. The clinical appearance of the arm was suggestive of pseudoparalytic shoulder. This case emphasizes the importance of proper body positioning during invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation in order to prevent peripheral nerve compression and further disability.