A surgical technique of spinal cord cell transplantation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

We report an original method for implanting bone marrow stem cells within the spinal cord parenchyma. This method was used for the experimental treatment of patients diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The methodology is reproducible and devoid of major complications even in patients showing significant spinal atrophy. Therefore, this report describes a surgical procedure that could be used in other experimental treatments involving the intraspinal delivery of stem cells. (C) 2010 Elsevier By. All rights reserved.