[Posturography as objective evaluation of the balance system in Parkinson's disease patients after neurosurgical treatment. A preliminary report].
OBJECTIVE
In advanced stages of Parkinson's disease (PD) beside resting tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia, most patients reveal severe balance instability. The goal of this study is to determine objectively postural control changes using static posturography after neurosurgical treatment (unilateral posteroventrolateral pallidotomy).


METHODS
15 patients with advanced idiopathic PD underwent unilateral posteroventrolateral pallidotomy. The study group was composed of 8 men and 7 women. The mean disease duration until operation was 12.5+/-3.5 years, and the mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 65.8+/-4.1 years. Postural control changes were assessed objectively by static computerized posturography and subjectively according to items of posture, gait and postural stability derived from Part III (motor examination) UPDRS. All evaluations of the balance system were performed preoperatively in the off and on condition, and also two weeks postoperatively in the same conditions.


RESULTS
It was found that the majority of posturographic parameters in the off condition were improved after neurosurgical treatment. The improvement in the on condition was less pronounced. For example, the mean path length in the off condition during eyes opened was 318+/-159 mm before pallidotomy, and after surgery it was 240.9+/-119.2 mm in off. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.005, t=3.11).


CONCLUSIONS
Pallidotomy improves postural control changes in the early postoperative period, which can be proved by static computerized posturography.
Jagielski
Janusz
J
Klinika Neurochirurgii, CMKP, ul. Kondratowicza 8, 03-232 Warszawa.
Kubiczek-Jagielska
Marzena
M
Sobstyl
Michał
M
Koziara
Henryk
H
Błaszczyk
Janusz
J
Zabek
Mirosław
M
Zaleski
Marek
M
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005917:Globus Pallidus / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D004856:Postural Balance; D011187:Posture; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome