Murakami M, Horisawa S, Kim K, Takeda N, Goto S, Kohara K, Kawamata T, Taira T. Long-term follow-up of task-specific tremor after thalamotomy: a retrospective observational study.
Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2024;
11:321-327. [PMID:
38018482 PMCID:
PMC10863909 DOI:
10.1002/acn3.51953]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to report the long-term results of thalamotomy in 23 patients with task-specific tremor.
METHODS
Data of 23 patients with task-specific tremor who underwent ventralis intermedius nucleus and posterior part of ventro-oral nucleus thalamotomy at the Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital between 2010 and 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. To evaluate neurological conditions, the severity of task-specific tremor was divided into 0 (no tremor), 1 (slightly tremulous), 2 (moderately tremulous), 3 (accomplishing tasks with great difficulty), and 4 (unable to complete tasks). We also used the subscores "handwriting" (0-4) and "spiral drawing" (0-4) of the Clinical Rating Scales for Tremor. Evaluation scales were presented as medians and interquartile ranges.
RESULTS
The severities of task-specific tremor were 3.0 (3.0-4.0) preoperatively and 0.0 (0.0-0.0, p < 0.0001) at the last available evaluation. The writing and spiral drawing of the Clinical Rating Scales for Tremor significantly improved from 3.0 (3.0-4.0) and 3.0 (2.0-3.0) preoperatively, respectively, to 0.0 (0.0-0.0, p < 0.0001) and 0.0 (0.0-0.0, p < 0.0001) at the last available evaluation, respectively. The mean clinical follow-up period was 62.7 ± 26.0 months. Seven (30.4%) patients had focal hand dystonia, which newly developed on the ipsilateral side of the tremor at 2-45 months after the surgery. No serious complications were observed.
INTERPRETATION
Thalamotomy significantly improves task-specific tremor with high long-term efficacy, and long-term follow-up is important because focal hand dystonia can develop postoperatively.
Collapse