Neurosurgery for Spasticity

The book, in its second edition, is devoted to the neurosurgical management of spasticity and focal dystonia. Starting with a chapter on the anatomical and physiological bases of spasticity and a short history of its neurosurgical treatment, it describes the neurosurgical methods currently available. As management differs between adults and children, the book is also structured accordingly, including evaluation, decision-making, Intrathecal Baclofen therapy (ITB), Botulinum toxin therapy and Surgery. The large spectrum of scales for assessing hypertonia, spasticity, dystonia, contracture and joint/bone deformities, as well as the scoring systems for quantifying functional abilities are critically reviewed. Beyond ITB, the neurosurgical options covered include the microsurgical procedures focusing on the peripheral nerves, dorsal roots, Dorsal Root Entry Zone and spinal cord, and their intra-operative monitoring.