Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
09:43
Functional and Morphological Assessment of Diaphragm Innervation by Phrenic Motor Neurons
Published on: May 25, 2015
Bilateral diaphragmatic weakness due to syringomyelia
Caroline Kramarz1, Parag Sayal2, Patrick Murphy3,4
1Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK c.kramarz@ucl.ac.uk.
BMJ Case Reports
|July 30, 2026
Summary
A rare case of neurogenic diaphragmatic weakness occurred in a woman with a long history of syringomyelia. This condition, likely caused by the syrinx affecting nerve pathways, led to breathing difficulties.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Syringomyelia is a rare condition characterized by a fluid-filled cyst (syrinx) within the spinal cord.
- Neurogenic diaphragmatic weakness is an uncommon complication of syringomyelia, impacting respiratory function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of acute-onset diaphragmatic weakness in a patient with long-standing syringomyelia.
- To discuss the presumed mechanism of neurogenic diaphragmatic weakness in syringomyelia.
Main Methods:
- Case report detailing a patient's presentation, history, and clinical course.
- Review of existing literature on syringomyelia and neurogenic respiratory dysfunction.
Main Results:
- A woman with a 25-year history of syringomyelia (C4-T3) developed sudden bilateral diaphragmatic weakness.
- The patient required nocturnal non-invasive ventilation due to respiratory compromise.
Conclusions:
- Neurogenic diaphragmatic weakness can be a rare but serious complication of syringomyelia.
- The condition is likely caused by the syrinx impinging on motor nuclei controlling diaphragmatic and intercostal muscles.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle
The clinical conditions affecting the skeletal muscle tissue are broadly categorized as musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders.
Musculoskeletal disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders involve injuries and conditions affecting the skeletal muscles and associated connective tissues. These disorders can arise from acute biomechanical stresses or chronic overuse and can occur across different age groups. Common injuries include sprains, fractures, and muscular strains, often resulting from...
Musculoskeletal disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders involve injuries and conditions affecting the skeletal muscles and associated connective tissues. These disorders can arise from acute biomechanical stresses or chronic overuse and can occur across different age groups. Common injuries include sprains, fractures, and muscular strains, often resulting from...
01:15Myasthenia Gravis: Diagnostic Tests
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune condition affecting neuromuscular transmission, causing generalized weakness in skeletal muscles. Initial diagnoses rely on patients' signs, symptoms, and medical history. The challenge lies in distinguishing myasthenia from other muscular dystrophies. An important diagnostic feature is the significant improvement of symptoms after administering anticholinesterase inhibitors.
The edrophonium test is a diagnostic tool for myasthenia gravis. It involves...
The edrophonium test is a diagnostic tool for myasthenia gravis. It involves...
01:29Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction
Intervertebral disc herniation refers to the displacement of the nucleus pulposus (the gel-like inner core of the disc) through a tear or weakened area in the annulus fibrosus (the outer fibrous ring). The displaced disc material extends beyond the normal boundaries of the disc space and may compress or irritate nearby spinal nerve roots or, less commonly, the spinal cord.Etiology and Risk FactorsHerniation commonly results from degeneration, in which aging reduces disc hydration and...
01:10Atelectasis II: Pathophysiology
Atelectasis develops when alveoli lose their air and collapse inward. Because lung tissue is naturally elastic, these air sacs shrink rather than remaining open. Collapsed alveoli are no longer ventilated, reducing their role in gas exchange. Blood flow may continue in these regions, creating a ventilation–perfusion mismatch. Clinical findings include decreased breath sounds, dullness to percussion, reduced chest expansion, and decreased tactile fremitus as sound transmission through collapsed...
01:30Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...
01:25Muscles of the Thorax
The thorax muscles are central to the body's respiration and provide essential support and movement for the upper body. They are intricately designed to facilitate the complex breathing process while also contributing to the structural integrity and mobility of the chest and upper limbs.
The diaphragm is at the core of thoracic musculature, the primary muscle involved in breathing. This expansive, dome-shaped muscle marks the division between the thoracic and abdominal cavities. It originates...
The diaphragm is at the core of thoracic musculature, the primary muscle involved in breathing. This expansive, dome-shaped muscle marks the division between the thoracic and abdominal cavities. It originates...