TY - JOUR
T1 - "Can't walk nor raise arms to head"
T2 - Harvey cushing's surgical treatment of poliomyelitis
AU - Pendleton, Courtney
AU - Dorsi, Michael J.
AU - Belzberg, Allan J.
AU - Cohen-Gadol, Aaron A.
AU - Quiñones-Hinojosa, Alfredo
PY - 2012/2/15
Y1 - 2012/2/15
N2 - Study Design: This study was a retrospective chart review for patients undergoing operative treatment by Dr. Harvey Cushing at the Johns Hopkins Hospital between 1896 and 1912. Objective: To illustrate the early use of peripheral nerve anastomoses for the treatment of postpoliomyelitis paralysis. Summary of Background Data: At the turn of the 20th century, poliomyelitis was recognized as a disease of neurons; neurological surgeons sought to find a surgical cure for the paralysis occurring after the disease onset. Peripheral nerve anastomoses were an attractive option employed during this time. Methods: Following IRB approval, and through the courtesy of the Alan Mason Chesney Archives, the surgical records of the Johns Hopkins Hospital from 1896 to 1912 were reviewed. A single case of peripheral nerve anastomosis for the treatment of postpoliomyelitis paralysis was selected for further analysis. Results: Cushing performed a multiple peripheral nerve anastomoses in a 3-year-old girl. Although the patient experienced no postoperative complications, there was no improvement in her function at the time of discharge from the hospital, and no long-term follow-up was available. Conclusion: While unsuccessful, Cushing's use of peripheral nerve anastomoses to restore motor function in the pediatric patient described here demonstrates his commitment to pushing the boundaries of neurological surgery at the turn of the 20th century.
AB - Study Design: This study was a retrospective chart review for patients undergoing operative treatment by Dr. Harvey Cushing at the Johns Hopkins Hospital between 1896 and 1912. Objective: To illustrate the early use of peripheral nerve anastomoses for the treatment of postpoliomyelitis paralysis. Summary of Background Data: At the turn of the 20th century, poliomyelitis was recognized as a disease of neurons; neurological surgeons sought to find a surgical cure for the paralysis occurring after the disease onset. Peripheral nerve anastomoses were an attractive option employed during this time. Methods: Following IRB approval, and through the courtesy of the Alan Mason Chesney Archives, the surgical records of the Johns Hopkins Hospital from 1896 to 1912 were reviewed. A single case of peripheral nerve anastomosis for the treatment of postpoliomyelitis paralysis was selected for further analysis. Results: Cushing performed a multiple peripheral nerve anastomoses in a 3-year-old girl. Although the patient experienced no postoperative complications, there was no improvement in her function at the time of discharge from the hospital, and no long-term follow-up was available. Conclusion: While unsuccessful, Cushing's use of peripheral nerve anastomoses to restore motor function in the pediatric patient described here demonstrates his commitment to pushing the boundaries of neurological surgery at the turn of the 20th century.
KW - Harvey Cushing
KW - peripheral nerve
KW - poliomyelitis
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84857791102&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84857791102&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1097/BRS.0b013e318212b56a
DO - 10.1097/BRS.0b013e318212b56a
M3 - Review article
C2 - 21301395
AN - SCOPUS:84857791102
SN - 0362-2436
VL - 37
SP - 330
EP - 333
JO - Spine
JF - Spine
IS - 4
ER -