[Neurophysiological investigations of respiratory function]

Neurophysiological assessment of breathing is mandatory for the diagnosis and management of respiratory problems occurring in neuromuscular disorders (neuromuscular complications of critical illness, spinal cord trauma, C4-C5 radiculopathies, phrenic nerve neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, Guillain-Barré syndrome etc...). We review the methods of exploration (principles and normative data) of efferent pathways (phrenic nerve conduction, central motor conduction studies with transcranial magnetic stimulation, diaphragmatic EMG) and afferent pathways (somatosensory evoked potentials of the phrenic nerve, respiratory evoked potentials, sympathetic skin response during sudden occlusion of respiratory pathways during inspiration), as well as their main indications.