Diaphragm Paralysis from Cervical Disc Lesions

Abstract

An opera singer, who “made her living with her diaphragm”, developed a post-traumatic unilateral radiculopathy due to cervical disc lesions, C3 to C6. During one year of severe neck and left arm pain she gradually lost the ability to sing difficult operatic passages which brought an end to her music career. Following a three level anterior cervical decompression and fusion, the neck and arm pain was immediately relieved. One week later her voice and singing ability returned to its full strength and power permitting her to resume her activities as a vocalist. The diagnosis of paresis of the left hemi-diaphragm as part of the cervical disc syndrome was implied by postoperative retrospective inference.

Key Words:

• Diaphragm paresis
• phrenic nerve
• cervical disc lesions
• opera singer
• cervical radiculopathy