Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2003 , Vol 49 , Num 5

Evaluation of Pulmonary Functions, Respiratory Muscles and Phrenic Nerve Conduction in C3-C4 Discopathies

Özlem Bölgen Çimen 1 ,Cengiz Tataroğlu 2 ,Bahar Ulubaş 3 ,Sacettin Özışık 4 ,Canan Erdoğan 5
1 Mersin Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı, Mersin, Türkiye
2 Mersin Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Nöroloji Anabilim Dalı, Mersin
3 Mersin Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Göğüs Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı, Mersin
4 Mersin Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı, Mersin
5 Mersin Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı, Mersi

The aim of this study was to evaluate pulmonary functions, respiratory muscle strength and phrenic nerve conduction in patients with C3-C4 disc lesion. Twenty-one patients with a mean (SD) age of 50.05±10 years diagnosed as cervical 3-4 disc protrusion were included in this study. Thirteen age-matched healthy controls (3 male, 10 female) with a   mean (SD) age of 45,66±10.64 years formed the control group. The onset latency and peak-to-peak amplitude of diaphragm muscle compound muscle action potentials (CMAP) were analyzed. Respiratory muscle strength was analyzed by a mouth pressure meter and was recorded as maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and  maximum expiratory pressure (MEP). Forced expiratory volume during the first second (FEV1(%)), FEV1/FVC, maximal midexpiratory flow rate (FEF%25-75(%)),  forced inspiratory vital capacity during the first second (FIV1) and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) values of patients and controls were analyzed by a computerized spirometer. FVC(%) value of patient group was significantly lower compared with healthy controls, although both groups’ FVC(%) parameter was in normal ranges. Phrenic nerve latency was slightly correlated with FIV1(r=-0.46, p=0.016). We can conclude that, patients with C3-C4 discopathy without any respiratory symptoms have normal pulmonary functions and respiratory muscle evaluation.

Keywords : C4 radiculopathy, pulmonary functions, maximum inspiratory pressure, diaphragm compound muscle action potential, phrenic nerve conductio