Treatment of idiopathic head drop (camptocephalia) by deep brain stimulation of the globus pallidus internus.
Deep brain stimulation of the globus pallidus internus has been shown to be beneficial in a small number of patients suffering from axial dystonias. However, it has not yet been reported as an effective treatment for the alleviation of idiopathic head drop. The authors describe a 49-year-old woman with idiopathic cervical dystonia (camptocephalia) who was unable to raise her head > 30 degrees when standing or sitting; her symptoms would abate when lying down. This disabling neurological condition was treated successfully with bilateral chronic electrical stimulation of the globus pallidus internus.
Sakas
Damianos E
DE
Unit of Functional and Stereotactic Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Athens Medical School, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece. sakasde@med.uoa.gr
Panourias
Ioannis G
IG
Boviatsis
Efstathios J
EJ
Themistocleous
Marios S
MS
Stavrinou
Lambis C
LC
Stathis
Pantelis
P
Gatzonis
Stylianos D
SD
D046690:Deep Brain Stimulation; D005260:Female; D005917:Globus Pallidus; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D014103:Torticollis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*