title: Respiratory complications in patients with traumatic cervical spine injuries: case report and review of the literature.
abstract: Spinal cord injuries continue to be a devastating medical problem. By impairing voluntary and involuntary nervous system function, virtually every body system function is affected. However, pulmonary function alteration and respiratory complications continue to be the major causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with spinal cord injuries. The current understanding of respiratory problems faced by patients with loss of innervation from cervical spinal cord injuries are reviewed.
mesh_terms: D003422:Critical Care; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology