Is electrostimulation preferable to surgery for upper limb ataxia?

ABSTRACT

Ataxic syndromes of the upper limbs are observed in various situations but are usually a result of lesions involving the efferent pathways of the cerebellum, the superior cerebellar peduncles and midbrain. The commonest causes are multiple sclerosis, brain injury and focal neoplastic or vascular lesions. Cerebellar tremor, which usually comprises a postural and intentional component, is the commonest clinical form. In this review, we assess the value of the various surgical techniques in the treatment of this particular form of ataxia of the upper limbs.