[Selective cooling of the spinal cord and spinal nerve roots in patients with spastic and pain syndromes].

Selective cooling of the spinal cord and its roots was applied in 26 patients with a high degree of muscle spasticity of various genesis and in 12 of those with various pain syndromes. Hypothermia was conducted by the open and closed (puncture) methods. The subarachnoid space was cooled to 11--7.5 degrees C. Spasticity diminished to grade I--II in 15 patients and to grade III in 9; in 2 patients it did not change. In 3 of 12 patients the sensation of phantom and pain were completely relieved, marked improvement occurred in 6 patients, while in 3 patients the effect proved short-lived or doubtful.