Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Neurophysiology

Background: Many neurological diseases lead to dysfunction of the respiratory muscles leading to pneumonia, respiratory failure and death. The diaphragm is the primary respiratory muscle. Its function can be assessed by phrenic nerve conduction studies and diaphragmatic ultrasound. The phrenic nerve is stimulated electrically without any effort from the patient. The diaphragmatic ultrasound can assess the inspiratory thickness, expiratory thickness, inspiratory thickening ratio and excursion of the diaphragm. Subjects and methods: Thirty patients with lower motor neuron disease who are susceptible to diaphragmatic dysfunction and thirty healthy controls were selected. Phrenic nerve conduction studies and diaphragmatic ultrasound were done. Results: There was a significant difference between patients{u2019} and control groups, as the mean amplitude of the CMAP of the phrenic nerve was reduced in patients compared to controls. Also the excursion, inspiratory thickness and inspiratory thickening ratio were reduced in patients compared to controls. Conclusion: Phrenic nerve conduction studies yield better results in detection of patients with a neuromuscular disease who are susceptible to affection of the diaphragm when complemented with diaphragmatic ultrasound

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