Management of childhood spasticity: a neurosurgical perspective

Opioid-Sparing Multimodal Analgesia After Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy

OBJECTIVES

Multimodal analgesia (MMA) may reduce opioid use among children who are hospitalized, and may contribute toward enhanced recovery after selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) for patients with spasticity in pediatric cerebral palsy. In this retrospective cohort study, we assess an MMA protocol consisting of scheduled nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug doses (ketorolac or ibuprofen), alternating with scheduled acetaminophen and diazepam doses, with as-needed opioids. It was hypothesized that protocol use would be associated with reductions in opioid requirements and other clinical improvements.

METHODS

Data were obtained for 52 patients undergoing SDR at an academic tertiary care pediatric hospital (2012-2017, with the protocol implemented in 2014). Using a retrospective cohort design, we compared outcomes between protocol and nonprotocol patients, employing both univariate t test and Wilcoxon rank test comparisons as well as multivariable regression methods. The primary outcome was total as-needed opioid requirements over postoperative days (PODs) 0 to 2, measured in oral morphine milligram equivalents per kilogram. Additional outcomes included antiemetic medication doses, discharge opioid prescriptions, total direct cost, and length of stay.

RESULTS

Twelve patients received the MMA protocol, and 40 patients did not. POD-0 MMA initiation was independently associated with a reduction of 0.14 morphine milligram equivalents per kilogram in mean opioid requirements over PODs 0 to 2 in the multiple regression analysis (95% confidence interval 0.01 to 0.28; P = .04). No statistically significant differences were demonstrated in doses of antiemetic medications, discharge opioid prescriptions, total direct cost, and length of stay.

CONCLUSIONS

This MMA protocol may help reduce opioid use after SDR. Improving protocol implementation in a prospective, multisite study will help elucidate further MMA effects on pain, costs, and recovery.

Comparison of efficacy between dorsal root entry zone lesioning and selective dorsal rhizotomy for spasticity of cerebral origin

BACKGROUND

Severe spasticity adversely affects patient functional status and caregiving. No previous study has compared efficacy between dorsal root entry zone lesioning (DREZL) and selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) for reduction of spasticity. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of DREZL and SDR for attenuating spasticity, and to compare efficacy between these two methods.

METHODS

All patients who underwent DREZL, SDR, or both for treatment of intractable spasticity caused by cerebral pathology at Siriraj Hospital during 2009 to 2016 were recruited. Severity of spasticity was assessed using Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and Adductor Tone Rating Scale (ATRS). Ambulatory status was also evaluated.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients (13 males) with a mean age of 30.3 ± 17.5 years were included. Eight, six, and one patient underwent DREZL, SDR, and combined cervical DREZL and lumbosacral SDR, respectively. Eight of ten patients with preoperative bed-bound status had postoperative improvement in ambulatory status. Spasticity was significantly reduced in the DREZL group (p < 0.001), the SDR group (p < 0.001), and in overall analysis (p < 0.001). SDR was effective in both pediatric and adult spasticity patients. A significantly greater reduction in spasticity as assessed by MAS score (p < 0.001) and ATRS score (p = 0.015) was found in the DREZL group. Transient lower limb weakness was found in a patient who underwent SDR.

CONCLUSIONS

DREZL is more effective for reducing spasticity, but is more destructive than SDR. DREZL should be preferred for bed-ridden patients, and SDR for ambulatory patients. Both operations are helpful for improving ambulatory status. Gait improvement was observed only in patients who underwent SDR. Adult patients with spasticity of cerebral origin benefit from SDR.

Spasticity secondary to Leigh syndrome managed with selective dorsal rhizotomy: a case report

PURPOSE

Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) is a surgical technique used to treat spasticity in children secondary to cerebral palsy (CP).

METHOD

We report, to the best of our knowledge for the first time, the case of a child who underwent SDR for the management of spasticity secondary to Leigh syndrome.

RESULT

SDR resulted in excellent functional outcome with significant improvement in spasticity. This result contributes to the mounting evidence that SDR could be used to alleviate spasticity secondary not only to CP but also to other pathologies as well.

Excellent functional outcome following selective dorsal rhizotomy in a child with spasticity secondary to transverse myelitis

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.

Botulinum Toxin in Pediatric Neurology: Switching Lanes From Death to Life

Botulinum neurotoxins are natural molecules produced by anaerobic spore-forming bacteria called Clostradium boltulinum. The toxin has a peculiar mechanism of action by preventing the release of acetylcholine from the presynaptic membrane. Consequently, it has been used in the treatment of various neurological conditions related to muscle hyperactivity and/or spasticity. Also, it has an impact on the autonomic nervous system by acting on smooth muscle, leading to its use in the management of pain syndromes. The use of botulinum toxin in children separate from adults has received very little attention in the literature. This review presents the current data on the use of botulinum neurotoxin to treat various neurological disorders in children.

Reduction in upper-extremity tone after lumbar selective dorsal rhizotomy in children with spastic cerebral palsy

OBJECT

Randomized clinical trials have established that lumbar selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) reduces lower-extremity tone and improves functional outcome in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Significant data exist to support a secondary effect on upper-extremity function in patients with upper-extremity spasticity. The effects of SDR on upper-extremity tone, however, are not well characterized. In this report, the authors sought to assess changes in upper-extremity tone in individual muscle groups after SDR and tried to determine if these changes could be predicted preoperatively.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively reviewed 42 children who underwent SDR at Columbia University Medical Center/Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian between 2005 and 2011. Twenty-five had upper-extremity spasticity. All underwent pre- and postoperative examination for measuring tone (Modified Ashworth Scale) and assessing functional outcome. Follow-up examinations with therapists were performed at least once at a minimum of 2 months postoperatively (mean 15 months).

RESULTS

In the upper extremities, 23 (92%) of 25 patients had improvements of at least 1 Ashworth point in 2 or more independent motor groups on the Modified Ashworth Scale, and 12 (71%) of 17 families surveyed reported increases in motor control or spontaneous movement. The mean Modified Ashworth Scale scores for all upper-extremity muscle groups demonstrated an improvement from 1.34 to 1.22 (p < 0.001). Patients with a mean preoperative upper-extremity tone of 1.25-1.75 were most likely to benefit from reduction in tone (p = 0.0019). Proximal and pronator muscle groups were most likely to demonstrate reduced tone.

CONCLUSIONS

In addition to improvements in lower-extremity tone and function, SDR has demonstrable effects on upper extremities. Greater than 90% of our patients with elevated upper-extremity tone demonstrated reduction in tone in at least 2 muscle groups postoperatively. Patients with a mean Modified Ashworth Scale upper-extremity score of 1.25-1.75 may encounter the greatest reduction in upper-extremity tone.

Adductor tenotomy and selective obturator neurectomy for the treatment of spasticity in a man with paraplegia

CONTEXT

Excessive hip adductor spasticity in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) can produce scissoring effect of the thighs which can interfere with various activities of daily living. If noninvasive measures do not produce desired results, surgical treatment may be considered. One surgical option for the management of adductor spasticity includes adductor tenotomy and selective obturator neurectomy. This procedure was performed in an individual with T11 paraplegia having severe adductor spasticity in both thighs.

METHOD

Case report.

FINDINGS

Adductor spasticity at hips was identified as the main barrier in functional activities and rehabilitation of our patient. After a trial of noninvasive treatment, a selective obturator neurectomy and adductor tenotomy were carried out, which completely relieved his adductor spasticity at both thighs without any complications. With comprehensive rehabilitation, the patient showed enhanced functional independence in various activities of daily living. This helped the patient to achieve functional indoor ambulation using orthosis in spite of complete paraplegia. Conclusion/clinical reference: Severe adductor spasticity can have debilitating effects and could be a major barrier in rehabilitation of patients with SCI. Surgical treatment for adductor spasticity can be considered when patients are unresponsive to noninvasive treatment. Relief from adductor spasticity can improve functional outcomes and decrease dependency. Although this procedure is commonly performed in patients with cerebral palsy, it remains a viable surgical alternative in carefully selected patients with SCI when other modes of treatment are contraindicated, failed, or not available.

Nonoperative management of spasticity in children

Central to the longitudinal management of childhood hypertonia are nonsurgical treatments. These include physical and occupational therapy, electrical stimulation, orthotics, botulium toxin, and drugs. This manuscripts reviews these treatment modalities as well as evaluation tools available to assess their impact on a child's hypertonia.