title: Late-onset progressive radiculomyelopathy in patients with cervical athetoid-dystonic cerebral palsy.
abstract: Three patients with severe athetoid-dystonic type of cerebral palsy involving the neck musculature developed in their fourth to fifth decade progressive cervical radiculomyelopathy associated with vertebral spondylarthrotic compressive lesions in addition to their long-standing neurological syndrome. It is likely that the late-onset myelopathy is linked to continuous torsion, compression and 'wear and tear' of the cervical spinal cord, induced by the involuntary movements. In 2 patients decompressive cervical spinal surgery was ineffective, suggesting irreversible damage.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001264:Athetosis / Q000150:complications*; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000150:complications*; D004421:Dystonia / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000209:etiology; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots; D013166:Spondylitis / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed