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Query: UMLS:C0026838 (spasticity)
 6,471 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

In order to determine a more accurate prevalence of post-traumatic spinal cord cysts (PTSCC) in spinal cord injured (SCI) patients, we retrospectively reviewed magnetic resonance scans from symptomatic imaging and asymptomatic SCI patients. We found the incidence of PTSCC to be 51% in our patient population. The only symptom that correlated to the presence of a cyst was spasticity. The cyst develops at the site of injury and appears to be a common sequela of SCI. We believe that conservative treatment is indicated in most patients with a PTSCC.
Paraplegia 1991 Nov
PMID:Post-traumatic spinal cord cysts evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging. 178 85

Morphometric and electrophoretic properties of soleus and medialis gastrocnemius fibres from paraplegic patients were studied 1 to 10 months following complete traumatic cord transection (spinal cord level C5-T1). In the short term of paraplegia (1-6 months) gastrocnemius medialis and soleus muscles showed predominant atrophy of IIA fibre types. In long term paraplegia (8-10 months) atrophy and reduction of type 1 fibres, with presence of high percentages of type IIB fibres, were seen in both studied muscles. The consistence in both muscles of IIB intermediate fibres in long term paraplegia, seems to indicate the initial stage of a mechanism of fibre transformation reflecting the adaptative capacity of the paretic muscle to spasticity. Electrophysiological studies of the H-reflex and the H/M ratio values reveal an increase of the H-reflex excitability in the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles during a 1 to 10 months follow-up.
Paraplegia 1991 May
PMID:Morphometric and neurophysiological analysis of skeletal muscle in paraplegic patients with traumatic cord lesion. 183 Dec 55

The authors report their experience using dorsal longitudinal myelotomy in treating spasticity in 20 patients with complete spinal cord injuries. These patients suffered from severe painful flexor/extensor spasms that prevented them from wheelchair ambulation and/or their decubitus ulcers healing. All were receiving large doses of various oral drugs, including baclofen, which had failed to control their spasticity, and all underwent a modification of a posterior T-myelotomy as first described by Bischof. All 20 patients enjoyed immediate complete relief of their painful spasms, although two (10%) eventually experienced return of their spasms and are thus classified as long-term failures. Seventeen patients succeeded in markedly reducing, or being completely weaned from, their antispasmodic medications. In 11 of 14 patients, nonhealing decubitus ulcers subsequently healed with treatment. Bladder function was unchanged from the preoperative status in all patients. Chronic intrathecal baclofen infusion has recently been reported as an effective treatment of the spasticity of paraplegia. The results of this study, along with previous reports advocating dorsal longitudinal myelotomy, suggest that this approach is an efficacious alternative to chronic baclofen infusion in reducing spasticity for complete paraplegics. Considering the cost of the infusion pump, along with the fact that chronic intrathecal baclofen therapy necessitates long-term medical supervision, it appears that myelotomy is superior for this select group of patients who have no hope of regaining voluntary motor function.
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PMID:Efficacy of dorsal longitudinal myelotomy in treating spinal spasticity: a review of 20 cases. 186 41

This is a review of the impact of spinal cord injury on female sexuality, which has received far less attention than male sexuality, and on menstruation, contraception and pregnancy, which have been reported more extensively. The few reports of sexuality in women after spinal cord injury suggests a wide range of adaptability, from 40% to 88% of the subjects achieving satisfactory sexual activity. Some women were able to adapt a positive body image and find new ways of stimulation to orgasm, despite altered body shape, bladder and bowel incontinence, spasticity, and lack of sensation often resulting from spinal injury. The pill, vaginal methods, and IUDs are not recommended, but condoms and possibly Norplant, are appropriate for these women. Menstruation, often ceasing for several months after injury, usually resumes. One study reported lack of menstrual pain, others did not. Many spinal injuries women have achieved 1 or more pregnancies. A few cases have been described of successful pregnancy when the injury occurred during gestation, as has 1 intrauterine death that was successfully delivered by induction. Premature cervical dilatation and labor and small-for-dates infants are more common than usual, but spontaneous abortion are not. Some of the typical problems in pregnancy are urinary tract infections, decubiti, anemia, pedal edema, weight transfer problems, thrombophlebitis, TIA episodes, and nausea. A more serious problem is management of labor, especially if the woman cannot perceive labor pains, or cannot bear down. Frequent check-ups and early hospitalization are recommended. A potentially fatal risk in those injured at T6 or above, is autonomic dysreflexia, stimulated by induction, labor, delivery, or even breast feeding. Autonomic dysreflexia can be treated with epidural anesthesia with lidocaine. Induction is contraindicated. Lactation may cease after 3 months or so because of lack of nipple stimulation.
J Am Paraplegia Soc 1991 Jul
PMID:The impact of spinal cord injury on female sexuality, menstruation and pregnancy: a review of the literature. 188 48

Spasticity is a common sequel of spinal cord injury (SCI) with well documented effects on daily activities and increased morbidity. In the course of our fertility studies using rectal probe electrostimulation (RPES) and SCI men to produce ejaculation, we observed that a majority of the men experienced significant improvement in their spasticity for many hours. This paper describes a preliminary effort to quantitate this phenomenon in 14 consecutive subjects treated for anejaculation on 65 occasions in our SCI Fertility Clinic. The effectiveness of RPES on spasticity was evaluated by pre- and post-RPES subject assessment and neurological examinations and follow-up self reports via telephone interviews. Six of the 14 patients (42%) experienced excellent relief following 30 of 33 RPES treatments; 4 (29%) had good to fair relief following 14 of 15 RPES treatments and 4 (29%) had no effect on all 17 RPES trials. The mean duration of relief was 9 hours (3-24). There was no relation between subject age, age of injury, level or completeness of injury or ejaculatory response with relief of spasticity. All men taking medications felt RPES was more effective than drugs in relieving spasms. No untoward effects were reported and 7 (50%) said they would use a home model for daily RPES, if available.
Paraplegia 1991 Jan
PMID:The effects of rectal probe electrostimulation on spinal cord injury spasticity. 178 18

The effects of intrathecal baclofen infusion were studied in 9 spinal cord injury patients whose spasticity had been refractory to oral medications. In a two stage, placebo controlled trial, baclofen was administered into the lumbar intrathecal space and subsequent clinical and neurophysiologic changes were assessed. In stage 1, 9 patients underwent a 5 day percutaneous infusion of baclofen and placebo via an external pump. Ashworth and reflex scores were assessed at time of enrollment, after infusion of that amount of baclofen which provided optimal spasticity control and after intrathecal infusion of placebo. The mean Ashworth grade decreased from 3.78 +/- 1.34 to 1.16 +/- 0.48 (p less than 0.001) while mean reflex score decreased from 3.57 +/- 1.05 to 0.64 +/- 0.87 (p less than 0.001). These values differed significantly from those associated with placebo therapy (Ashworth grade--2.54 +/- 1.04, p less than 0.001; reflex score--2.56 +/- 1.04, p less than 0.01). Objective improvements in functional abilities and independence were noted in 8 patients, while somatosensory and brainstem auditory evoked potentials were unchanged in all patients. Urodynamic evaluation revealed increased bladder capacity in 3 patients, while in 4 no change was observed. In Stage 2, permanent programmable infusion pumps were implanted in 7 patients who demonstrated a good response during Stage 1. In this group, mean Ashworth score decreased from 3.79 +/- 0.69 to 2 +/- 0.96 (p less than 0.001) and mean reflex score decreased from 3.85 +/- 0.62 to 2.18 +/- 0.43 (p less than 0.001). Baclofen dosage increased from 182 +/- 135 to 528 +/- 266 mcg/day over the 3-22 month follow-up period. Most of the dosage increase occurred within the initial 12 months following infusion pump implantation and tended to plateau thereafter. Minor complications such as catheter dislodgement/kinking and nausea occurred infrequently while no device related infections were observed. There was no clinical evidence of any significant baclofen neurotoxicity either in Stage 1 or 2. The only ambulatory patient developed marked lower extremity weakness during Stage 1 intrathecal baclofen infusion and was temporarily unable to walk. We conclude that continuous administration of intrathecal baclofen is an effective and safe modality for spasticity control in patients who are refractory to oral medications.
Paraplegia 1991 Jan
PMID:Continuous infusion of intrathecal baclofen: long-term effects on spasticity in spinal cord injury. 202 70

The mechanism of nonhemorrhagic neurological deterioration from spinal arteriovenous malformation (AVM) and the role of acute surgical intervention in this setting are not well understood. The case is described of a 65-year-old man who presented with a 2-year history of mild gait spasticity and vague sensory complaints affecting both lower extremities. Following a diagnostic lumbar puncture, these symptoms progressed painlessly over a 4-day period to total motor paraplegia, urinary retention, and hypesthesia in all modalities with a midthoracic sensory level. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a probable spinal AVM but no evidence of hemorrhage or cord compression. Spinal angiography confirmed the diagnosis of spinal AVM fed by radicular branches of left T-7 and T-8 segmental intercostal arteries. Drainage was via long dorsal veins caudally. Emergency laminectomy with intradural exploration was performed. There was no evidence of prior hemorrhage or focal mass effect, although the cerebrospinal fluid pressure was elevated. The dural component of the spinal AVM was excised, and its communications with the spinal cord were disconnected intradurally. Neurological function started improving within 6 hours of the patient awakening from anesthesia. He had achieved antigravity strength in every muscle group of the lower extremities by the time of discharge to a rehabilitation center 10 days after surgery. Three months postoperatively, he was ambulating with a walker and was continent of urine and stool. Possible pathophysiological mechanisms are discussed in light of the favorable response to timely surgical intervention.
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PMID:Neurological deterioration in a patient with a spinal arteriovenous malformation following lumbar puncture. Case report. 201 87

Muscle spasticity and contractures in the spinal cord injured are a big problem interfering with rehabilitation, leading to inconveniences and complications in these patients. Management is based on pharmacotherapy, physiotherapy and surgeries. The authors are against central neurosurgery except on rare occasions. They have been practicing peripheral surgeries chiefly on muscles and tendons with satisfactory results in selected cases. The guidelines and procedures are presented.
Paraplegia 1990 Sep
PMID:Muscle release in the management of spasticity in spinal cord injury. 225 Sep 86

Even in patients with complete loss of sensation and paraplegia after cervical spinal trauma, abdominal operations usually require general or spinal anesthesia due to spasms and increased muscle tone. Both anesthetic types have serious drawbacks under these circumstances, e.g. hyperkalemia induced by relaxation or the impossibility of adequate monitoring of the level of spinal blockade. After an onset time of 1-2 h the intrathecal injection of approx. 100 micrograms baclofen, a spinally acting GABAB-agonist, led to complete and long-lasting suppression of surgically induced spasticity. This could be demonstrated by neurological examination (spasticity scores: Ashworth score, spasm score, clonus score) during 5 neurosurgical operations in 3 patients with paraplegia. Except for slight sedation, the patients had no discomfort during operation. Intrathecal baclofen was also effective against autonomic hyperreflexia, i.e. vegetative dysregulation such as bradycardia or hypertension, provoked by catheterization or bladder surgery.
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PMID:[Intraoperative suppression of spasticity using intrathecal baclofen]. 230 48

A new and simple endoscopic treatment procedure of external urethral sphincters is described. The external urethral sphincter was dilated with a balloon catheter 25mm in diameter in a multiple sclerosis patient; the sphincter spasticity made intermittent catheterization impossible. Post dilatation, the resistance to catheterization completely disappeared and the urethral pressure profile showed a dramatic fall in sphincteric pressure. This fall in sphincteric pressure has remained at a normal post dilatation level at the time of submission of this article (7 months).
J Am Paraplegia Soc 1990 Apr
PMID:Balloon dilatation of the external urethral sphincter: a case study. 233 76


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