Electrophysiologic studies in selective dorsal rhizotomy for spasticity in children with cerebral palsy.
A group of 20 children with spastic cerebral palsy underwent selective dorsal rhizotomy for alleviation of spasticity. Pre- and postoperatively, cortical somatosensory evoked responses (cSSEP), H reflex and F wave studies were done. Clinically there was dramatic reduction of tone without noticeable sensory loss. The electrophysiologic studies showed several findings: (1) many children have abnormal cSSEP preoperatively; (2) surgery seldom leads to a loss of cSSEP; (3) in many patients, there is a noteworthy improvement in the cSSEP wave form; (4) some children have electrophysiologic evidence of spinal cord dysfunction preoperatively and (5) Hmax/Mmax ratio decreases after surgery confirming decrease in tone.
Cahan
L D
LD
Division of Neurosurgery, University of California, Irvine California College of Medicine.
Kundi
M S
MS
McPherson
D
D
Starr
A
A
Peacock
W
W
D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000601:surgery*