Phrenic Nerve Stimulation for Diaphragm Pacing in a Quadriplegic Patient.
10.3340/jkns.2013.54.4.359
- Author:
Byung Chul SON
1
;
Deog Ryung KIM
;
Il Sup KIM
;
Jae Taek HONG
Author Information
1. Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic Univeristy of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. sbc@catholic.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Apnea;
Central hypoventilation;
Diaphragm pacing;
Spinal cord stimulator;
Spinal cord injury
- MeSH:
Apnea;
Brain Stem;
Diaphragm*;
Electric Stimulation;
Follow-Up Studies;
Hematoma;
Hospitalization;
Humans;
Hypoventilation;
Phrenic Nerve*;
Pneumonia;
Quadriplegia;
Respiration, Artificial;
Respiratory Center;
Sleep Apnea, Central;
Spinal Cord;
Spinal Cord Injuries;
Tracheostomy;
Ventilators, Mechanical;
Wounds and Injuries
- From:Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
2013;54(4):359-362
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Chronic hypoventilation due to injury to the brain stem respiratory center or high cervical cord (above the C3 level) can result in dependence to prolonged mechanical ventilation with tracheostomy, frequent nosocomial pneumonia, and prolonged hospitalization. Diaphragm pacing through electrical stimulation of the phrenic nerve is an established treatment for central hypoventilation syndrome. We performed chronic phrenic nerve stimulation for diaphragm pacing with the spinal cord stimulator for pain control in a quadriplegic patient with central apnea due to complete spinal cord injury at the level of C2 from cervical epidural hematoma. After diaphragmatic pacing, the patient who was completely dependent on the mechanical ventilator could ambulate up to three hours every day without aid of mechanical ventilation during the 12 months of follow-up. Diaphragm pacing through unilateral phrenic nerve stimulation with spinal cord stimulator was feasible in an apneic patient with complete quadriplegia who was completely dependent on mechanical ventilation. Diaphragm pacing with the spinal cord stimulator is feasible and effective for the treatment of the central hypoventilation syndrome.
