Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Selective functional rhizotomy for the treatment of spasticity in children

  • Chapter
Neurosurgery for Spasticity

Abstract

During the past three years interest in the use of selective functional rhizotomy to treat spasticity has increased, particularly in the United States. This is due largely to the positive experiences of surgeons employing various techniques of sensory rhizotomies during the 1960’s, 1970’s and early 1980’s in Europe and South Africa (Fasano et al. 1980, Fraioli and Guidetti 1977, Gros et al. 1973, Laitinen et al. 1983, Peacock et al. 1987, Privat et al. 1976, Sindou et al. 1974, 1987). To understand the rationale of this procedure, a summary of the current theories of the pathophysiology is helpful.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Abbe R (1896) Intradural section of the spinal nerves for neuralgia. Boston Med Surg J 135:329–335

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abbott R, Forem S, Johann M (1989) Selective posterior rhizotomy for the treatment of spasticity, a review. Childs Nerv Syst 5:337–346

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Abbott R, Johann M, Spielholz N, Espstein F (1989) Selective posterior rhizotomy and spasticity; relationship between intraoperative abnormal muscle contractions and the tone examination. In: Park TS, Phillips LH, Peacock WJ (eds) Management of spasticity in cerebral palsy and spinal cord injury. Hanley & Belfus, Philadelphia, pp 471–476

    Google Scholar 

  • Abbott R, Deletes V, Spielholz N, Wisoff JH, Epstein FJ (1990) Selective posterior rhizotomy, pitfalls in monitoring. In: Marlin A (ed) Concepts pediatric neurosurgery. Karger, Basel, pp 187–195

    Google Scholar 

  • Ashby P, Verrier M, Lightfoot E (1974) Segmental reflex pathways in spinal shock and spinal spasticity in main. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 37:1352–1360

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baldissera PW, Hultborn H, Illert M (1981) Integration in spinal neuronal systems. In: Brooks VB (ed) Handbook physiology, sec 1. The nervous system, vol 2. Motor control. American Physiology Society, Bethesda, pp 509–595

    Google Scholar 

  • Barolat-Romana G, Davis R (1980) Neurophysiological mechanisms in abnormal reflex activities in cerebral palsy and spinal spasticity. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 43:333–342

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bennett WH (1889) Acute spasm otic pain in the left lower extremity was completely relieved by subdural division of the posterior roots of certain spinal nerves, all other treatment having proved useless. Medico Chir Trans 79:329–348

    Google Scholar 

  • Bobath K (1980) A neurophysiological basis for the treatment of cerebral palsy. Clin Dev Med 75:1–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Bobath B, Bobath K (1982) Motor development in the different types of cerebral palsy. W Heinemann, London, pp 1–100

    Google Scholar 

  • Cahan LD, Kundi SM, McPherson D, et al (1987) Electrophysiologic studies in selective posterior rhizotomy for spasticity in children with cerebral palsy. Appl Neurophysiol 50:459–460

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carr JH, Shepherd RB, Gordon J, et al (1987) Movement science: foundations for physical therapy in rehabilitation. Aspen Systems, London, pp 27–143

    Google Scholar 

  • Dimitrijevic MR, Nathan PW (1967) Studies in spasticity in man. Brain 90:1–31

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dimitrijevic MR (1985) Spasticity. In: Swash M, Kennard C (eds) Scientific basis of clinical neurology. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, pp 108–115

    Google Scholar 

  • Dzialga MJ (1988) Early ambulation patterns in cerebral palsy children who have undergone selective posterior rhizotomies. Thesis, New York University, pp 22–32

    Google Scholar 

  • Elk B (1980) Preoperative assessment and postoperative surgical occupational therapy for children who have undergone a selective posterior rhizotomy. South African J Occ Ther 14:49–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Fasano VA, Barolat-Romana G, Zeme S, et al (1979) Electrophysiological assessment of spinal circuits in spasticity by direct dorsal root stimulation. Neurosurgery 4:146–151

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fasano VA, Broggi G, Zeme S, et al (1980) Long-term results of posterior rhizotomy. Acta Neurochir [Suppl] 30:435–439

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Foerster O (1913) On the indications and results of the excision of posterior spinal nerve roots in men. Surg Gynecol Obstet 16:463–475

    Google Scholar 

  • Fraioli B, Guidetti B (1977) Posterior partial rootlet section in the treatment of spasticity. J Neurosurg 46:618–625

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gros C, Frerebeau PH, Kuhner A, et al (1973) Technical modification in the Foerster operation. Selective posterior lumbar root section. The results of 18 years of practice. Presented at the International Congress of Neurosurgery, Tokyo 1973

    Google Scholar 

  • Irwin-Carruthers SH, Davids LM, VanRensburg CK, et al (1985) Early physiotherapy in selective posterior rhizotomy. Fisioterapie 41:44–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Jankowski E, Lundberg A, Stuart D (1973) Propriospinal control of last order interneurons of spinal reflex pathways in the cat. Brain Res 53:227–231

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jankowski E, Lundberg A, Roberts WJ, et al (1974) A long propriospinal system with direct effects on motoneurons and on interneurons in the cat lumbosacral cord. Exp Brain Res 21:169–194

    Google Scholar 

  • Knott M, Voss DE (1969) Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation. Patterns and techniques. Hoeber Medical Div, Harper and Row, New York, pp 83–185

    Google Scholar 

  • Laitinen LV, Nilsson S, Fugl-Meyer AR (1983) Selective posterior rhizotomy for treatment of spasticity. J Neurosurg 48:895–899

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu CN, Chambers NW (1958) Intraspinal sprouting of dorsal root axons. Arch Neurol Phychol 79:46–61

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lloyd DP (1942) Mediation of descending long spinal reflex activity. J Neurophysiol 5:435–458

    Google Scholar 

  • Lundberg A (1964) Supraspinal control of transmission in reflex paths to motoneurons and primary afferents. In: Eccles JC, Schade JP (eds) Physiology of spinal neurons. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 197–221

    Google Scholar 

  • Lundberg A (1969) Convergence of excitatory and inhibitory action on interneurons in the spinal cord. In: Brazier MAB (ed) The interneuron. Univ Calif Press, Los Angeles, pp 231–265

    Google Scholar 

  • Nathan PW, Smith MC (1959) Fasciculi proprii of the spinal cord in man: review of present knowledge. Brain 82:610–688

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ouaknine G-E (1980) Le traitement chirurgical de la spasticité. Union Med Can 109:1424–1443

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Park TS, Phillips LH (1988) Electrophysiological studies of selective posterior rhizotomy patients. Presented at Pathophysiology and management of spasticity in spinal cord injury and cerebral palsy symposium. Charlottesville, VA, May 25–27, 1988

    Google Scholar 

  • Peacock WJ, Arens LJ (1982) Selective posterior rhizotomy for the treatment of spasticity in cerebral palsy. SA Med J 62:119–124

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peacock WJ, Arens LJ, Berman B (1987) Cerebral palsy spasticity. Selective posterior rhizotomy. Ped Neurosci 13:61–66

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pederson E (1969) Spasticity: mechanisms, measurement, management. Charles C Thomas, Springfield, pp 91–98

    Google Scholar 

  • Privat JM, Benezech J, Frcrebeau P, et al (1976) Sectorial posterior rhizotomy, a new technique of surgical treatment for spasticity. Acta Neurochir 35:181–195

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Raimondi AJ, Gutierrez FA, DiRocco C (1976) Laminotomy and total reconstruction of the posterior arch for spinal canal surgery in childhood. J Neurosurg 45:555–560

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Raymer WZ (1984) Spinal mechanisms for control of muscle length and tension. In: Davidoff RA (ed) Handbook of the spinal cord, vols 2 and 3. Marcel Dekker, New York Basel, pp 609–646

    Google Scholar 

  • Scheibel AB (1984) Organization of the spinal cord. In: Davidoff RA (ed) Handbook of the spinal cord, vol 2. Marcel Dekker, New York Basel, pp 47–77

    Google Scholar 

  • Sherrington CS (1898) Decerebrate rigidity and reflex coordination of movements. J Physiol (Lond) 22:319–337

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sindou M, Fischer G, Goutelle A, et al (1974) La radicellotomie postérieure sélective dans le traitement des spasticités. Rev Neurol 30:201–215

    Google Scholar 

  • Sindou M, Mifsud JJ, Rosati C, et al (1987) Microsurgical selective posterior rhizotomy in the dorsal root entry zone for treatment of limb spasticity. Acta Neurochir [Suppl] 39:99–102

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stelzner DJ (1982) The role of the descending systems in maintaining intrinsic spinal function: a developmental approach. In: Sjolund B, Bjorklund A (eds) Brainstem control of spinal mechanisms. Elsevier Biomedical Press, Amsterdam, pp 297–321

    Google Scholar 

  • Stockmeyer SA (1967) An interpretation of the approach of rood in the treatment of neuromuscular dysfunction. Am J Phys Med 46:900–926

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Storrs BB, McLone DG (1989) Selective posterior rhizotomy in the treatment of spasticity associated with myelomeningocele. In: Marlin A (ed) Concepts Pediatr Neurosurg, vol 9. Karger, Basel, pp 173–177

    Google Scholar 

  • Tardieu C, Lespargot A, Tabary C, Bret MD (1988) For how long must the soleus muscle be stretched each day to prevent contracture? Dev Med Child Neurol 30:3–10

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yasuoka S, Peterson HA, Laws ER, et al (1981) Pathogenesis and prophylaxis of postlaminectomy deformity of the spine after multiple level laminectomy: difference between children and adults. Neurosurgery 9:145–152

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, New York University Medical Center, 550 First Ave., New York, NY, 10016, USA

    Prof. R. Abbott, M. Johann-Murphy & J. T. Gold

Authors
  1. Prof. R. Abbott
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. Johann-Murphy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. T. Gold
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Hôpital Neurologique Pierre Wertheimer, Lyon, France

    Marc P. Sindou M.D.

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, New York University Medical Center, New York, USA

    I. Richmond Abbott M.D.

  3. Department of Neurosurgery, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Creteil, France

    Yves Keravel M.D.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1991 Springer-Verlag Wien

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Abbott, R., Johann-Murphy, M., Gold, J.T. (1991). Selective functional rhizotomy for the treatment of spasticity in children. In: Sindou, M.P., Abbott, I.R., Keravel, Y. (eds) Neurosurgery for Spasticity. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-6708-3_22

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-6708-3_22

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Vienna

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-7091-7388-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-7091-6708-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation