Effects of local hyperthermia on the motor function of the rat sciatic nerve |
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Authors: | J Wondergem J Haveman V Rusman P Sminia J D Van Dijk |
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Institution: | Department of Radiotherapy, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. |
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Abstract: | The effect of local heat treatment of the sciatic nerve was assessed using the toe-spreading test, which mainly assesses the motor function of the sciatic nerve. A 5 mm long segment of the nerve was heated at temperatures from 42.0 to 45.0 degrees C in vivo using a brass thermode. Hyperthermia led to a decrease in spreading of the toes. Recovery from functional loss took place in all cases, and this recovery was completed in 4 weeks. A 50 per cent functional loss in 50 per cent of the treated animals was observed after 58, 32 and 12 min of heating at 43.0, 44.0 and 45.0 degrees C respectively. |
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