Mechanical and physiological effects of dentatotomy. J Neurosurg 1977 Jun;46(6):767-75
Date
06/01/1977Pubmed ID
870628DOI
10.3171/jns.1977.46.6.0767Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0017414618 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 23 CitationsAbstract
The role of the dentate ligaments in the pathogenesis of myelopathy secondary to disease conditions that alter the normal biomechanics of the spinal canal was studied in 14 dogs. The effects of posterior cord elevation on somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP's) and tension requirements were compared before and after dentate ligaments section in acute experiments. At levels of posterior elevation usually within the confines of the canine canal, the dentate ligaments were the most significant element increasing tension requirements and SSEP alternations. Human cadaver studies also showed an approximate 50% reduction of force after dentatotomy. These findings suggests that after dentate ligaments section the applied tension is distributed over a longer segments of the cord with a reduction in tension and disruption of axonal conduction at the level at which the force was applied.
Author List
Cusick JF, Ackmann JJ, Larson SJAuthor
Joseph F. Cusick MD Adjunct Professor in the Neurosurgery department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AnimalsCervical Vertebrae
Dogs
Electric Stimulation
Evoked Potentials
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Myelography
Peroneal Nerve
Pia Mater
Spinal Cord
Spinal Cord Diseases
Spinal Osteophytosis
