Deep brain stimulation in childhood: an effective treatment for early onset idiopathic generalised dystonia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Early onset idiopathic generalised dystonia is a progressive and profoundly disabling condition. Medical treatment may ameliorate symptoms. However, many children have profound, intractable disability including the loss of ambulation and speech, and difficulties with feeding. Following the failure of medical management, deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the globus pallidus internus (GPi) has emerged as an alternative treatment for the disorder.

Methods

We describe four children who presented with dystonia.

Results

Following the failure of a range of medical therapies, DBS systems were implanted in the GPi in an attempt to ameliorate the children's disabilities. All children found dystonic movements to be less disabling following surgery. Compared with preoper

SUBMITTER: Parr JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2083907 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature