Abstract
Selective dorsal rhizotomy may have a role in the management of spinal cord injury (SCI)-induced spasticity. Spasticity and spasms are common sequelae of SCI in children. Depending on the clinical scenario, treatments may include physical and occupational therapy, oral medications, chemodenervation, and neurosurgical interventions. Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) is used in the management of spasticity in selected children with cerebral palsy, but, to the authors' knowledge, its use has not been reported in children with SCI. The authors describe the cases of 3 pediatric patients with SCI and associated spasticity treated with SDR. Two of the 3 patients have had significant long-term improvement in their preoperative spasticity. Although the third patient also experienced initial relief, his spasticity quickly returned to its preoperative severity, necessitating additional therapies. Selective dorsal rhizotomy may have a place in the treatment of selected children with spasticity due to SCI.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 266-270 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics |
Volume | 14 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 2014 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Selective dorsal rhizotomy
- Spasticity
- Spinal cord injury
- Spine
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology
- Surgery
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health