title: Unilateral subthalamic nucleus lesioning: a safe and effective treatment for Parkinson's disease.
abstract: The present study, the largest in the literature, was performed to assess the effectiveness and safety of unilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) lesioning for Parkinson's disease (PD). From August 1999 to September 2000, 21 consecutive patients evaluated pre- and postoperatively by a single examiner were operated. Levodopa intake and dyskinesia, Hoehn & Yahr, Schwab & England and UPDRS motor scores were recorded. Stereotactic CT and MRI and the effects of macrostimulation were used to determine STN coordinates. A single radiofrequency lesion was made (60-75 degrees C/60"). Concomitant ipsilateral Vim/VOp lesions were made in 8 patients. Using a new technique, we were able to determine the territory of STN involved by the surgical lesion. The Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney statistical tests were applied to evaluate the surgical results. All recorded parameters showed stable improvement after a mean follow up of 13.5 months. Recurrence occurred in two patients. Contralateral tremor arrest and decrease of rigidity and bradykinesia should be regarded as STN hallmarks to stimulation. Hyperintense lesions in the early-phase MRI seem to be a poor prognostic factor. Lateral territory lesioning correlates with better results. There was no significant difference between the cohorts with and without a Vim/VOp lesion. Dyskinesias happened in two patients (promptly abolished by a Vim/VOp lesion). Other complications were transient and/or rare. In conclusion, STN lesioning is a safe and very effective procedure to treat PD and probably an underutilized operation for those who can not afford the costs of DBS.
authors.affiliation: Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery Service and Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Unit, Hospital das Clínicas, Medical School, Universidade Federal de Goiás, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. ovf@ih.com.br
authors.forename: Osvaldo
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Vilela Filho
authors.forename: Délson José
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: da Silva
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D020531:Subthalamic Nucleus / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D007980:Levodopa