LUNG-VOLUMES IN TETRAPLEGIC PATIENTS ACCORDING TO CERVICAL SPINAL-CORD INJURY LEVEL

Fifty-six tetraplegic patients with motor complete lesions (Frankel A and B) underwent spirometric measurements more than 6 months after inj ury. The results were evaluated according to the level of transection of the cervical cord. A pronounced restrictive respiratory dysfunction was demonstrated in all patients. The expiratory reserve volume (ERV) was zero or markedly reduced in patients at all lesion levels. System atic increases in both ERV and vital capacity (VC) were found with low er lesion level. The inspiratory capacity (IC) was reduced at all inju ry levels, but there were no systematic differences in IC between inju ry levels C4-C8. The total lung capacity (TLC) was reduced and the rat io residual volume/total lung capacity (RV/TLC) was increased in patie nts at all injury levels. The lung function of patients tested > 12 mo nths after injury was not significantly different from the function in those tested 6-12 months after injury. A respiratory rehabilitation p rogramme for tetraplegic patients should take into account the fact th at the respiratory function, especially the forced expiration, is depe ndent upon injury level.