Respiratory changes after stereotactic high cervical cord lesions for pain

Stereotactic cordotomy affected forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) less than open cordotomy, but 11 of 15 patients had some effect on respiratory functions. Central cord lesions produced a small (9%) fall in values. Of 10 patients with trigeminal lesions 7 had no charge in respiratory function, but 2 had reduction of more 50% associated with transient extremity paresis, attributed to injury to a corticospinal pathway to respiratory neurones.