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Excellent functional outcome following selective dorsal rhizotomy in a child with spasticity secondary to transverse
N K Mazarakis1, I Ughratdar2, M H Vloeberghs2
1Department of Neurosurgery, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK. nm1@doctors.org.uk.
Purpose:
Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) is a neurosurgical procedure used to treat spasticity in children with cerebral palsy (CP). The vast majority of studies to date suggest SDR is particularly effective in reducing lower limb spasticity in spastic diplegia with long-lasting effect.
Method:
We report, to the best of our knowledge for the first time, the case of a teenager who underwent SDR for the management of spasticity secondary to transverse myelitis.
Results:
This is an unusual indication for SDR which resulted in completely loose lower limbs and an excellent functional outcome. At a follow-up 18 months following the procedure, the child had no re-occurrence of his symptoms.
Conclusion:
This report raises the possibility that the use of SDR could be expanded to include other pathologies. We discuss the case and the relevant literature. Our spasticity service at NUH has to date inserted 300 baclofen pumps and performed 60 SDRs mainly in children with cerebral palsy.
