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

Spastic dysphonia is a central nervous system phenomenon of unknown etiology characterized by uncoordinated voice tremor with erratic patterns of laryngeal contraction. Standard treatments have not been entirely satisfactory. The authors propose to apply a concept of selective nerve activity blockage, which leaves normal contractions undisturbed, as the basis for suppression of laryngeal spasticity. Single pulses of constant duration and increasing amplitude were injected into specially designed blocking electrodes placed around six recurrent laryngeal nerves (three dogs). Vocal cord adduction was reduced or arrested within given "windows" of stimulation levels of the blocking electrodes, while it increased with higher amplitudes when the current was injected via standard bipolar electrodes (controls). Although this study demonstrates the feasibility of blocking action potentials passing along recurrent laryngeal nerves, it might eventually allow control of laryngeal spasm from information taken directly from the affected musculature.
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PMID:Electronic control of laryngeal spasm. I. Blockage of orthodromically induced action potentials in intact canine recurrent laryngeal nerves. 238 Dec 63

We studied the effect of the intrathecal infusion of baclofen, an agonist of gamma-aminobutyric acid, on abnormal muscle tone and spasms associated with spinal spasticity, in a randomized double-blind crossover study. Twenty patients with spinal spasticity caused by multiple sclerosis or spinal-cord injury who had had no response to treatment with oral baclofen received an intrathecal infusion of baclofen or saline for three days. The infusions were administered by means of a programmable pump implanted in the lumbar subarachnoid space. Muscle tone decreased in all 20 patients (mean [+/- SD] Ashworth score for rigidity, from 4.0 +/- 1.0 to 1.2 +/- 0.4; P less than 0.0001), and spasms were decreased in 18 of the 19 patients who had spasms (mean [+/- SD] score for spasm frequency, from 3.3 +/- 1.2 to 0.4 +/- 0.8; P less than 0.0005). Tests for motor function, neurologic examination, and assessments by the patients correctly indicated when baclofen was being infused in all cases. All patients were then entered in an open long-term trial of continuous infusion of intrathecal baclofen. During a mean follow-up period of 19.2 months (range, 10 to 33), muscle tone has been maintained within the normal range (mean Ashworth score, 1.0 +/- 0.1) and spasms have been reduced to a level that does not interfere with activities of daily living (mean spasm score, 0.3 +/- 0.6). No drowsiness or confusion occurred, one pump failed, and two catheters became dislodged and had to be replaced. No infections were observed. Our observations suggest that intrathecal baclofen is an effective long-term treatment for spinal spasticity that has not responded to oral baclofen.
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PMID:Intrathecal baclofen for severe spinal spasticity. 265 24

Two basic diagnostic features of myofascial trigger points (TPs), namely, local tenderness and alteration of tissue consistency (such as in taut bands, muscle spasm), can be documented quantitatively by simple hand-held instruments. A pressure threshold meter (algometer) assists in location of TPs and their relative sensitivity. A side-to-side difference exceeding 2kg in comparison with normal values indicates pathologic tenderness. The effect of treatment can be quantified. Pressure tolerance, measured over normal muscles and shin bones, expresses pain sensitivity. Myopathy is suspected if muscle tolerance drops below bone tolerance. Tissue compliance measurement documents objectively and quantitatively alteration in soft tissue consistency. Muscle spasm, tension, spasticity, taut bands, scar tissues, or fibrositic nodules can be documented. The universal clinical dynamometer is used as part of a physical examination to quantify weakness. Thermography (heat imaging) demonstrates discoid shaped hot spots over TPs. Muscle activity, spasm, or contraction is visualized as increased heat emission in the shape of the active muscle.
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PMID:Documentation of myofascial trigger points. 328 31

Spasms and spasticity constitute a significant problem in spinal cord injured individuals. Surgical intervention may be indicated when spasms and spasticity cannot be satisfactorily controlled by medications and physical therapy. Surgical procedures carried out on the nervous system include neurotomy, rhizotomy, myelotomy, cordectomy and spinal cord stimulation. The various procedures and their indications will be discussed.
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PMID:Surgical management of spasticity and spasms in spinal cord injury: an overview. 328 15

The authors report a series of 53 bedridden patients having harmful spasticity in one (6) or both (47) lower limb(s) and treated with selective posterior rhizotomy (SPR) in the dorsal root entry zone (DREZ). This severe spasticity was associated with irreducible flexion contracture in 49 cases and hyperextension in 3 others. 37 of these patients also had painful manifestations. The method was introduced in 1972 on the basis of anatomical studies of the DREZ in humans which showed a topographical segregation of the afferent roots according to their anatomico-functional destinations. The technique consists of a 2 mm deep DREZ microsurgical cut directed at a 45 degree angle into the posterior lateral sulcus just ventral to DREZ and Lissauer's tract of the spinal cord. The procedure was carried out at each sensory rootlet considered to be responsible for the harmful spasticity and pain. SPR interrupts selectively the lateral nociceptive and central myotactic afferent fibers curving toward Lissauer's tract and the anterior spinal cord, while sparing most of the medial lemniscal fibers curving toward the dorsal columns, as well as the fibers of the inhibitory circuitry of Lissauer's tract and dorsal horn. The results were evaluated after a 1 to 14 year follow-up. Mild to severe complications occurred in 25 patients (47.1%) and were responsible for death in 5 (9.4%). Both spasticity and spasm were significantly decreased or completely eliminated in 75% and 88.2% respectively; when present, pain was relieved without a total suppression of sensation in 91.6%. These benefits-combined with complementary orthopedic surgery in 23 patients--resulted in either a complete resolution or marked reduction of the abnormal postures and articular limitations (85.2% complete and 96.75 marked reduction). Because of the extreme severity of the pre-operative neurological deficits in almost all the patients in this series, surgery improved voluntary movements with a significant functional benefit in only 5 cases and vesico-sphincter function in none. Thanks to its valuable effects on hyperspasticity and pain, SPR in the DREZ made it possible for these very disable patients to be more comfortable in bed and wheel-chair and it allowed effective nursing and kinesitherapy to be resumed.
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PMID:[Selective posterior rhizotomy at the posterior radiculomedullary junction in the treatment of hyperspasticity and pain in the lower limbs]. 332 98

Fourteen cats underwent 500-g/cm dorsal impact injuries to the spinal cord and the placement of stimulating electrodes above and below the level of injury at T8. After recovery from the surgical procedure and the development of spasticity, each animal participated in several trials of spinal cord stimulation (SCS). Cord stimulation was provided above or below the level of injury using currents of less than 0.75 mA at 100 Hz. Electromyogram changes in hamstring and quadricep muscles (during spasms induced by dorsiflexion of the paw) were monitored. All animals showed complete paraplegia and, at 3 weeks, severe spasms. Spasticity was aggravated by SCS delivered above the level of injury. Spasms were markedly suppressed by monopolar stimulation delivered below the level of the lesion. Effects were maximal with the negative electrode applied to the cord and were slightly less with reversal of polarity. Muscle excitation was seen before diminution of spasms when bipolar currents were used. All effects lasted only as long as currents were delivered. These animal trials suggest that the effects of SCS are directly related to the current and its type. Beneficial effects were seen only when currents were delivered below the level of injury; this suggests that SCS activates local inhibitory processes or depolarizes local excitatory pathways. The poor results with bipolar stimulation do not support action on a multisynaptic cord system in short term stimulation.
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PMID:Spinal cord stimulation for amelioration of spasticity: experimental results. 349 82

To clarify the role of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) in evoking coronary spasm, we compared coronary arterial spasticity induced by ergonovine maleate (EM) with coronary sinus thromboxane B2 (TXB2: a stable catabolite of TXA2) in 34 patients with documented variant angina and 11 patients with chest pain syndrome (CPS). We also examined the effect of OKY-1581 (8 mg/kg, i.v.), a TXA2 synthetase inhibitor, on the coronary arterial spasticity of these patients. When blood samples were taken from coronary sinus just before EM test, all patients with variant angina exhibiting markedly augmented TXB2 levels (424 +/- 138 pg/ml), had positive EM test results, while CPS exhibiting lower TXB2 levels (223 +/- 38 pg/ml), had negative EM test. We found that the amounts of EM needed to induce coronary spasm were inversely correlated with TXB2 levels in coronary sinus. In 7 out of these 8 patients, OKY-1581 was found to attenuate the increased spasticity with reduction of coronary sinus TXB2 levels. In 3 patients, an EM rechallenge at symptomatically quiescent stage resulted in negative test with augmented TXB2 levels being markedly decreased. These findings indicate that increased TXA2 in circulating plasma is closely correlated with the hypersensitivity of coronary arteries to EM in patients with variant angina, suggesting a possible role of augmented TXA2 production in the enhancement of coronary vascular spasticity.
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PMID:Thromboxane A2 as an enhancing factor of coronary vasospasticity in variant angina. 362 9

A new instrument is described, the tissue compliance meter (TCM), for quantitative and objective recording of soft tissue consistency. This quality is appreciated at present only by the subjective method of palpation. Use of the TCM therefore offers a method to quantify palpation of tissue consistency and to document findings objectively. The handheld instrument allows immediate and simple reading of the depth of penetration of a rubber disc at a known pressure. The relation between the achieved penetration and employed pressure expresses the compliance. The TCM consists of a rubber disc with the surface of 1 cm2 attached to a force gauge. The depth of penetration of the rubber tip is indicated by a disc which slides on the shaft of the force gauge. Normal values were established for men and women over muscles which are frequently affected by spasm. Tissue compliance measurement can document changes in soft tissue consistency which occur in muscle spasm, spasticity, swelling, tumors, lumps, hematomas, etc. Use of the TCM provides the most sensitive and earliest objective indication of either healing and resolution in soft tissue pathology or occurrence of complications. Changes in muscle tone such as reduction of spasm, tension, or spasticity can be recorded. The effects of different types of physical therapy can thus be documented objectively.
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PMID:Tissue compliance meter for objective, quantitative documentation of soft tissue consistency and pathology. 381 58

Centrally acting muscle relaxant properties of AD-2239 were compared with those of tolperisone, eperisone, diazepam and baclofen. AD-2239 dose-relatedly depressed extensor reflex in urethane-chloralose anesthetized intact and spinal rats, the i.v. potencies being similar to those of tolperisone and eperisone. These effects of AD-2239 were long-lasting. When orally administered, AD-2239 was 4 times more potent than eperisone. Diazepam was without effect on the extensor reflex in spinal rats. AD-2239 depressed the flexor reflex without affecting the patellar reflex in anesthetized cats. Baclofen depressed the latter. When orally administered, AD-2239, in a dose-related manner, depressed the flexor reflex in anesthetized cats, with a potency approximately 8 times that of tolperisone or eperisone. AD-2239 produced a dose-related reduction of anemic decerebrate rigidity (alpha-rigidity) in rats. The potency, at the minimum effective i.v. dose, was 4 times greater than that of tolperisone or eperisone, equal to that of diazepam, and one-half of that of baclofen. AD-2239 neither affected spontaneous electroencephalogram (EEG) nor EEG arousal response in immobilized cats, while the other drugs, at comparatively low doses, depressed them. The results strongly suggest that AD-2239 may have advantages over the existing centrally acting muscle relaxants in the treatment of human clinical spasticity and muscle spasm syndromes.
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PMID:Pharmacological studies of 1-(2,3-dimethyl-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methyl-3-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-1- propanone hydrochloride (AD-2239), a centrally acting muscle relaxant. 383 47

Selective facial neurectomy in combination with bilateral musculocutaneous resection, plication brow lift, upper lid blepharoplasty, and limited rhytidectomy was performed on 18 patients with essential blepharospasm, eight with hemifacial spasm, and two with CNS vascular compression malformations. Microscopy showed the nerve tissues to be normal. Initial results were excellent. At 3 months there was a slight, persistent spastic twitching of the affected muscles in five nerves (a 14% failure rate in correcting blepharospasm). After 13 months there were four additional failures resulting from nerve regrowth in three and from one patient not completing therapy. The overall blepharospasm failure rate was 26%. On repeat neurectomy those with nerve regrowth presented with a diffuse, fine meshwork of nerve fibers reinnervating the mimetic facial musculature. In six of seven patients operated on again, spasticity was eliminated. The initial surgical failure rate has been corrected by resecting the frontal branch and the superior division of the buccal branch of the facial nerve. Only repeat neurectomy can correct long-term failures resulting from facial nerve regrowth.
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PMID:Selective facial neurectomy for spastic disorders of the facial nerve. 392 7


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