New Apparatus for Spinal Cord Stereotaxis and its Use in the Microsurgery of Lumbar Enlargement

Abstract

Our construction of the spinal cord stereotaxic apparatus is different from similar apparatus available. The base of the apparatus is attached directly to the arc of the vertebral body by means of a handle screw. The apparatus is light, easily demontable. Movement is possible in 3 perpendicular plains and carries one fine uni- or dipolar electrode. By means of this electrode the spinal cord potentials are recorded, the spinal cord structures can be stimulated and lesions are carried out by electrocoagulation. The target can be reached according to model maps of the spinal cord. The apparatus is used in order to influence the hyperspastic bladder and the spasticity of the lower limbs after interruption of the spinal cord. Results are encouraging us to use the stereotaxic method for the treatment of neurogenic bladder in the spinal cord segment S₂.

Statistical Model Map of the Spinal Cord and its Use

“…At present, the stereotactic method on the spinal cord is used in treatment of pain by operating on the corresponding tracts of the spinal cord [8,9] and in surgery of intumescentia lumbalis, aimed at treating spasticity of the legs and urinary bladder resulting from a transverse lesion of the spinal cord [2,8].…”

Commentary: “The Future of Spinal Cord Stereotaxy: An overview”

“…The destruction of the parasympathetic center increased this threshold to the normal value of 200 mL. 17 The interventions targeting the micturition center of the spinal cord were adopted by Fröhlich, who, in addition, used the stereotactic device for pain surgery. He termed the interventions as open stereotaxy.…”

Radiosurgery and radiotherapy for sacral tumors

“…25 He used a spinal localization device attached to spinous processes to make precise cord lesions for in vivo electrophysiological studies. In 1972, Nadvornik 33 used a similar method of open spinal fixation to perform radiofrequency ablation of the cord. Clark is said to have modified the attachment to the lamina for more accurate localization later that year.…”