Phrenic Nerve Dysfunction Secondary to Cervical Neuroforaminal Stenosis: A Literature Review

Phrenic nerve dysfunction has been associated with cervical neuroforaminal stenosis in limited case reports and case-controlled studies. It is unclear if magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine should be included in the workup of patients with pulmonary dysfunction. A systematic review of the current literature was conducted on the topic to provide an outline of the body of knowledge and some guidance for neurosurgeons that receive these patient referrals.

A systematic literature review was conducted through the PubMed database to identify articles related to phrenic nerve dysfunction secondary to cervical stenosis.

A total of 12 case reports were found. The median subject age was 64 years, 11 were male. Presenting symptoms included shortness of breath (n = 9), radiculopathy (n = 7), myelopathy (n = 5), reduced pulmonary function (n = 6), weakness (n = 4), and neck pain (n = 5). Ten of these patients underwent surgical intervention, all having improvements in their pulmonary and neurological symptoms at follow-up ranging from 10 days to 2 years.

Cervical stenosis, resulting in neuroforaminal stenosis, may be related to phrenic nerve dysfunction in select patients with idiopathic diaphragmatic paralysis or pulmonary dysfunction. Surgical decompression improves pulmonary and neurological symptoms.