Electrical stimulation of the posterior limb of the internal capsule for treatment of thalamic pain.
Electrical stimulation of the posterior limb of the internal capsule was performed in 7 patients with thalamic pain who had developed dysesthesia, hyperpathia and/or spontaneous burning pain. Ramped bipolar stimulation elicited sensory responses, such as warm or comfortable sensation. Follow-up from 9 months to 2 years and 7 months showed that 3 patients had a good result, two had fair and the remaining two had poor results. No serious side effects were seen. The mechanism of pain relief by the internal capsule stimulation is discussed.
D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000503:physiopathology; D000368:Aged; D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods*; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003342:Corpus Striatum; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D059408:Pain Management; D013787:Thalamic Nuclei / Q000503:physiopathology; D013788:Thalamus / Q000098:blood supply*