Effects of a pulmonary rehabilitation program on exercise capacity, muscle oxygenation, and respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, in a patient with subphrenic abscesses: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Subphrenic abscesses are infected structures that arise above or below the diaphragm and cause pulmonary problems such as dyspnea, pneumonia, and basal atelectasis. After medical treatment, persistent respiratory and functional impairments may remain, requiring additional interventions such as pulmonary rehabilitation.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 16-year-old previously healthy male adolescent was diagnosed with a subphrenic abscess accompanied by pneumonia and pleural effusion after radiological and laboratory evaluation. Although appropriate medical treatment was completed and the patient was discharged, dyspnea and fatigue persisted during rest and physical activity. Therefore, pulmonary rehabilitation was initiated to improve persistent respiratory symptoms and functional limitations.

OUTCOMES: The patient's functional exercise capacity (69 meters), upper extremity exercise capacity, quadriceps femoris muscle oxygenation (muscle oxygen saturation increased from 16% to 20%), respiratory muscle strength (MIP: 31 cmH2O, MEP: 28 cmH2O), and upper and lower extremity peripheral muscle strength improved, and dyspnea and fatigue perception decreased.

CONCLUSION: This case report demonstrates the value of a timely and comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation program in improving pulmonary and extrapulmonary symptoms for a patient with subphrenic abscess accompanied by pleural effusion and pneumonia.