Respiratory complications of poliomyelitis and multiple sclerosis.

Years after suffering from poliomyelitis and completely recuperating from any of its acute complications, patients can develop postpolio syndrome (PPS), thought to be caused by progressive neuronal loss. The symptoms and manifestations of PPS vary in intensity and distribution, but many patients have respiratory involvement and will require a pulmonary evaluation for new or increased dyspnea, fatigue, or symptoms suggestive of sleep-related disordered breathing. The diagnosis, evaluation, and management of this complex problem are discussed in the first part of this article. In the second part, pulmonary complications of multiple sclerosis are described. This common neurological disease affects young adults and often requires evaluation by a pulmonologist. This review centers on the acute respiratory manifestations of multiple sclerosis and also describes the chronic effects.