Cortical activity and hand function restoration in a patient after spinal cord surgery.
BACKGROUND
Following a motorcycle accident, a 9-year-old boy experienced a complete right-sided (dominant) arm and hand paralysis with total sensory loss, Horner syndrome and severe constant pain. This study assessed the long-term outcome of spinal cord surgery undertaken on the patient, focusing on the restored hand function and related cortical activity. The study follows on from previous reports on the same patient.


METHODS
Clinical functional and electrophysiological examinations. Functional MRI of cortical activity.


METHODS
Complete brachial plexus (C5-T1) avulsion from the spinal cord.


RESULTS
Spinal cord surgery to restore motor trajectories.
The PNI-Unit, The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, UK.
Thomas
T
Carlstedt
Tomas
T
Hultgren
Torbjörn
T
Nyman
Thomas
T
Hansson
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000293:injuries; D020516:Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002648:Child; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006225:Hand / Q000294:innervation* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009049:Motorcycles; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000637:transplantation*; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*