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McCreary JK, Rogers JA, Forwell SJ. Upper Limb Intention Tremor in Multiple Sclerosis: An Evidence-Based Review of Assessment and Treatment. Int J MS Care 2018; 20:211-223. [PMID: 30374251 DOI: 10.7224/1537-2073.2017-024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Background To present the current knowledge on the characteristics, assessment, and treatment of upper limb intention tremor to inform and improve future intervention studies in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), we conducted a literature review for articles on upper limb intention tremor in patients with MS. Methods Two reviewers conducted searches in PubMed, Web of Science, and MEDLINE (Ovid). Relevant articles, sorted on inclusion criteria, were examined for descriptions and assessments of upper limb intention tremor, and intervention studies were evaluated based on treatment type. Results Eight descriptive studies were found reporting on the incidence and severity of tremor, impairments, and lesion load. Ten studies focused on measurement of tremor using various assessments. Intervention studies included eight articles using a diverse set of noninvasive techniques mainly showing transient reduction in tremor amplitude and temporary increase in function. Eighteen studies on pharmacologic interventions were found, with most displaying positive outcomes and mediation of tremor; others showed little to no benefit. Surgical interventions included 17 studies on thalamotomy and 20 on deep brain stimulation. Most studies showed tremor improvement after surgery; however, most sample sizes were small, and interventions were highly invasive, with potential adverse effects resulting from surgery. Conclusions The literature on upper limb intention tremor in MS is relatively sparse. More studies are required to determine mechanism of action and to provide more suitable and sustainable interventions to decrease upper limb intention tremor and improve quality of life of individuals with MS.
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Deep Brain Stimulation for Tremor. Neuromodulation 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-805353-9.00075-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
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Raju SS, Niranjan A, Monaco EA, Flickinger JC, Lunsford LD. Stereotactic radiosurgery for medically refractory multiple sclerosis-related tremor. J Neurosurg 2017; 128:1214-1221. [PMID: 28665251 DOI: 10.3171/2017.1.jns162512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease that can lead to severe intention tremor in some patients. In several case reports, conventional radiotherapy has been reported to possibly exacerbate MS. Radiosurgery dramatically limits normal tissue irradiation to potentially avoid such a problem. Gamma Knife thalamotomy (GKT) has been established as a minimally invasive technique that is effective in treating essential tremor and Parkinson's disease-related tremor. The goal in this study was to analyze the outcomes of GKT in patients suffering from medically refractory MS-related tremor. METHODS The authors retrospectively studied the outcomes of 15 patients (mean age 46.5 years) who had undergone GKT over a 15-year period (1998-2012). Fourteen patients underwent GKT at a median maximum dose of 140 Gy (range 130-150 Gy) using a single 4-mm isocenter. One patient underwent GKT at a dose of 140 Gy delivered via two 4-mm isocenters (3 mm apart). The posteroinferior region of the nucleus ventralis intermedius (VIM) was the target for all GKTs. The Fahn-Tolosa-Marin clinical tremor rating scale was used to evaluate tremor, handwriting, drawing, and drinking. The median time to the last follow-up was 39 months. RESULTS After GKT, 13 patients experienced tremor improvement on the side contralateral to surgery. Four patients noted tremor arrest at a median of 4.5 months post-GKT. Seven patients had excellent tremor improvement and 6 had good tremor improvement. Four patients noted excellent functional improvement, 8 noted good functional improvement, and 1 noted satisfactory functional improvement. Three patients experienced diminished tremor relief at a median of 18 months after radiosurgery. Two patients experienced temporary adverse radiation effects. Another patient developed a large thalamic cyst 60 months after GKT, which was successfully managed with Ommaya reservoir placement. CONCLUSIONS Gamma Knife thalamotomy was found to be a minimally invasive and beneficial procedure for medically refractory MS tremor.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - John C Flickinger
- 3Radiation Oncology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Franzini A, Cordella R, Messina G, Marras CE, Romito LM, Albanese A, Rizzi M, Nardocci N, Zorzi G, Zekaj E, Villani F, Leone M, Gambini O, Broggi G. Targeting the brain: considerations in 332 consecutive patients treated by deep brain stimulation (DBS) for severe neurological diseases. Neurol Sci 2012; 33:1285-303. [PMID: 22271259 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-012-0937-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2011] [Accepted: 12/23/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) extends the treatment of some severe neurological diseases beyond pharmacological and conservative therapy. Our experience extends the field of DBS beyond the treatment of Parkinson disease and dystonia, including several other diseases such as cluster headache and disruptive behavior. Since 1993, at the Istituto Nazionale Neurologico "Carlo Besta" in Milan, 580 deep brain electrodes were implanted in 332 patients. The DBS targets include Stn, GPi, Voa, Vop, Vim, CM-pf, pHyp, cZi, Nacc, IC, PPN, and Brodmann areas 24 and 25. Three hundred patients are still available for follow-up and therapeutic considerations. DBS gave a new therapeutic chance to these patients affected by severe neurological diseases and in some cases controlled life-threatening pathological conditions, which would otherwise result in the death of the patient such as in status dystonicus, status epilepticus and post-stroke hemiballismus. The balance of DBS in severe neurological disease is strongly positive even if further investigations and studies are needed to search for new applications and refine the selection criteria for the actual indications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Franzini
- Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "C. Besta", Via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy
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Kincses ZT, Szabó N, Valálik I, Kopniczky Z, Dézsi L, Klivényi P, Jenkinson M, Király A, Babos M, Vörös E, Barzó P, Vécsei L. Target identification for stereotactic thalamotomy using diffusion tractography. PLoS One 2012; 7:e29969. [PMID: 22238685 PMCID: PMC3251609 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0029969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2011] [Accepted: 12/10/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stereotactic targets for thalamotomy are usually derived from population-based coordinates. Individual anatomy is used only to scale the coordinates based on the location of some internal guide points. While on conventional MR imaging the thalamic nuclei are indistinguishable, recently it has become possible to identify individual thalamic nuclei using different connectivity profiles, as defined by MR diffusion tractography. METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Here we investigated the inter-individual variation of the location of target nuclei for thalamotomy: the putative ventralis oralis posterior (Vop) and the ventral intermedius (Vim) nucleus as defined by probabilistic tractography. We showed that the mean inter-individual distance of the peak Vop location is 7.33 mm and 7.42 mm for Vim. The mean overlap between individual Vop nuclei was 40.2% and it was 31.8% for Vim nuclei. As a proof of concept, we also present a patient who underwent Vop thalamotomy for untreatable tremor caused by traumatic brain injury and another patient who underwent Vim thalamotomy for essential tremor. The probabilistic tractography indicated that the successful tremor control was achieved with lesions in the Vop and Vim respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our data call attention to the need for a better appreciation of the individual anatomy when planning stereotactic functional neurosurgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsigmond Tamás Kincses
- Department of Neurology, Albert Szent-György Clinical Center, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.
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Schiefer TK, Matsumoto JY, Lee KH. Moving forward: advances in the treatment of movement disorders with deep brain stimulation. Front Integr Neurosci 2011; 5:69. [PMID: 22084629 PMCID: PMC3211039 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2011.00069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2011] [Accepted: 10/07/2011] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The modern era of stereotactic and functional neurosurgery has ushered in state of the art technologies for the treatment of movement disorders, particularly Parkinson's disease (PD), tremor, and dystonia. After years of experience with various surgical therapies, the eventual shortcomings of both medical and surgical treatments, and several serendipitous discoveries, deep brain stimulation (DBS) has risen to the forefront as a highly effective, safe, and reversible treatment for these conditions. Idiopathic advanced PD can be treated with thalamic, globus pallidus internus (GPi), or subthalamic nucleus (STN) DBS. Thalamic DBS primarily relieves tremor while GPi and STN DBS alleviate a wide range of Parkinsonian symptoms. Thalamic DBS is also used in the treatment of other types of tremor, particularly essential tremor, with excellent results. Both primary and various types of secondary dystonia can be treated very effectively with GPi DBS. The variety of anatomical targets for these movement disorders is indicative of the network-level dysfunction mediating these movement disturbances. Despite an increasing understanding of the clinical benefits of DBS, little is known about how DBS can create such wide sweeping neuromodulatory effects. The key to improving this therapeutic modality and discovering new ways to treat these and other neurologic conditions lies in better understanding the intricacies of DBS. Here we review the history and pertinent clinical data for DBS treatment of PD, tremor, and dystonia. While multiple regions of the brain have been targeted for DBS in the treatment of these movement disorders, this review article focuses on those that are most commonly used in current clinical practice. Our search criteria for PubMed included combinations of the following terms: DBS, neuromodulation, movement disorders, PD, tremor, dystonia, and history. Dates were not restricted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kendall H. Lee
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo ClinicRochester, MN, USA
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Franzini A, Cordella R, Messina G, Marras CE, Romito LM, Carella F, Albanese A, Rizzi M, Nardocci N, Zorzi G, Zekay E, Broggi G. Deep brain stimulation for movement disorders. Considerations on 276 consecutive patients. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2011; 118:1497-510. [DOI: 10.1007/s00702-011-0656-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2010] [Accepted: 05/05/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Yap L, Kouyialis A, Varma TRK. Stereotactic neurosurgery for disabling tremor in multiple sclerosis: thalamotomy or deep brain stimulation? Br J Neurosurg 2009; 21:349-54. [PMID: 17676453 DOI: 10.1080/02688690701544002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Disabling tremor is common in multiple sclerosis and up to 75% of patients experience tremor at some point during their disease. The treatment of this tremor, however, remains challenging. Pharmacotherapy in general has been disappointing and stereotactic neurosurgery is becoming increasingly popular. However, the results of stereotactic treatments reported are variable and no systematic review has been performed. The aim of this study was to assess the role of thalamotomy and deep brain stimulation in the treatment of tremor in multiple sclerosis, and to compare the differences in efficacy and safety between the two techniques. We identified the relevant published studies and cases by searching the MEDLINE, EMBASS and the references lists of related articles, and performed a systematic review and assessment of the full texts of all articles selected. Initial tremor suppression was seen in 93.8% of patients who had thalamotomy and 96% in those who had deep brain stimulation. A total of 63.5% of patients had persistent tremor suppression at 12 months or more after thalamotomy. Twelve results for deep brain stimulation were not available in the reviewed literature. Functional improvement was seen only in 47.8% of those who underwent thalamotomy as opposed to 85.2% of those who had deep brain stimulation. While three of the four reported deaths were in patients who underwent thalamotomy, three of the four procedure-related haemorrhages followed DBS. Other common adverse effects like hemiparesis, dysarthria, swallowing difficulties, balance disorder, etc., was reported in both procedures. Numerous studies have attempted to assess the efficacy and safety of thalamotomy and DBS in the treatment of MS tremor, but no standardized outcome measures were used. Nonetheless, the data suggest that both thalamotomy and thalamic DBS are comparable procedures for tremor suppression and that adverse effects can occur with both procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Yap
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Liverpool, UK
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Burdick AP, Okun MS, Foote KD. Deep Brain Stimulation for Tremor. Neuromodulation 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-374248-3.00044-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Mathieu D, Kondziolka D, Niranjan A, Flickinger J, Lunsford LD. Gamma knife thalamotomy for multiple sclerosis tremor. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 68:394-9. [PMID: 17905063 DOI: 10.1016/j.surneu.2006.11.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2006] [Accepted: 11/14/2006] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Some patients with MS suffer from disabling tremor. Improvement with medical treatment is modest, at best. Stereotactic surgery targeting the vim nucleus of the thalamus has been successful in alleviating MS tremor. Gamma knife radiosurgery represents a minimally invasive alternative to radiofrequency lesioning and DBS that can provide improvement in patients suffering from essential and parkinsonian tremor. We reviewed our experience with GK thalamotomy in the management of six consecutive patients suffering from disabling MS tremor. METHODS The median age at the time of radiosurgery was 46 years (range, 31 to 57 years). Intention tremor had been present for a median of three years (range 8 months to 12 years). One 4-mm isocenter was used to deliver a median maximum dose of 140 Gy (range, 130-150 Gy) to the vim nucleus of the thalamus opposite the side of the most disabling tremor. Clinical outcome was assessed using the Fahn-Tolosa-Marin scale. RESULTS The median follow-up was 27.5 months (range, 5-46 months). All patients experienced improvement in tremor after a median latency period of 2.5 months. More improvement was noted in tremor amplitude than in writing and drawing ability. In four patients, the tremor reduction led to functional improvement. One patient suffered from transient contralateral hemiparesis, which resolved after brief corticosteroid administration. No other complication was seen. CONCLUSION Gamma knife radiosurgical thalamotomy is effective as a minimally invasive alternative to stereotactic surgery for the palliative treatment of disabling MS tremor.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Mathieu
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Center for Image-Guided Neurosurgery, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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Koch M, Mostert J, Heersema D, De Keyser J. Tremor in multiple sclerosis. J Neurol 2007; 254:133-45. [PMID: 17318714 PMCID: PMC1915650 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-006-0296-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2005] [Accepted: 05/03/2006] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Tremor is estimated to occur in about 25 to 60 percent of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This symptom, which can be severely disabling and embarrassing for patients, is difficult to manage. Isoniazid in high doses, carbamazepine, propranolol and gluthetimide have been reported to provide some relief, but published evidence of effectiveness is very limited. Most trials were of small size and of short duration. Cannabinoids appear ineffective. Tremor reduction can be obtained with stereotactic thalamotomy or thalamic stimulation. However, the studies were small and information on long-term functional outcome is scarce. Physiotherapy, tremor reducing orthoses, and limb cooling can achieve some functional improvement. Tremor in MS remains a significant challenge and unmet need, requiring further basic and clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Koch
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Disabling tremor or ataxia is common in multiple sclerosis (MS) and up to 80% of patients experience tremor or ataxia at some point during their disease. A variety of treatments are available, ranging from pharmacotherapy or stereotactic neurosurgery to neurorehabilitation. OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy and tolerability of both pharmacological and non-pharmacologic treatments of ataxia in patients with MS. SEARCH STRATEGY The following electronic resources were searched: Cochrane MS Group trials register (June 2006), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (Issue 2, 2006), National Health Service National Research Register (NRR) including the Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Directory (Issue 2, 2006), MEDLINE (January 1996 to June 2006), and EMBASE (Jan 1988 to June 2006). Manual searches of bibliographies of relevant articles, pertinent medical and neurology journals and abstract books of major neurology and MS conferences (2001-2006) were also performed. Direct communication with experts and drug companies was sought. SELECTION CRITERIA Blinded, randomised trials which were either placebo-controlled or which compared two or more treatments were included. Trials testing pharmacological agents must have had both participant and assessor blinding. Trials testing surgical interventions or effects of physiotherapy, where participants could not have been blinded to the treatment, must have had independent assessors who were blinded to the treatment. Cross-over trials were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Three independent reviewers extracted data and the findings of the trials were summarised. A meta-analysis was not performed due to the inadequacy of outcome measures and methodological problems with the studies reviewed. MAIN RESULTS Ten randomised controlled trials met the inclusion criteria. Six placebo-controlled studies (pharmacotherapy) and four comparative studies (one stereotactic neurosurgery and three neurorehabilitation) were reviewed. No standardised outcome measures were used across the studies. In general, pharmacotherapies were unrewarding and data on neurosurgery or rehabilitation is insufficient to lead to a change in practice. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The absolute and comparative efficacy and tolerability of pharmacotherapies to treat ataxia in MS are poorly documented and no recommendations can be made to guide prescribing. Although studies on neurosurgery and neurorehabilitation showed promising results, the absolute indications for treating with those methods cannot be developed. Standardised, well validated measures of ataxia and tremor need to be developed and employed in larger randomised controlled trials with careful blinding.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Mills
- Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Clinical Trials Unit, Lower Lane, Fazakerley, Liverpool, UK, L9 7LJ.
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Foote KD, Seignourel P, Fernandez HH, Romrell J, Whidden E, Jacobson C, Rodriguez RL, Okun MS. Dual electrode thalamic deep brain stimulation for the treatment of posttraumatic and multiple sclerosis tremor. Neurosurgery 2006; 58:ONS-280-5; discussion ONS-285-6. [PMID: 16582651 DOI: 10.1227/01.neu.0000192692.95455.fd] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To report the results of ventralis intermedius nucleus/ventralis oralis posterior nucleus (VIM) plus ventralis oralis anterior (VOA)/ventralis oralis posterior (VOP) thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) for the treatment of posttraumatic and multiple sclerosis tremor. OBJECTIVE The treatment of posttraumatic tremor and multiple sclerosis tremor, by either medication or surgery, has proven difficult. Lesions and DBS have had mixed and somewhat disappointing results. Previously, we reported the use of two DBS electrodes (one at the VIM/VOP border and one at the VOA/VOP border) as effective for the treatment of posttraumatic tremor in a single patient. In this study, we report the results of this technique on four patients. METHODS Four patients with either posttraumatic tremor (n = 3) or multiple sclerosis tremor (n = 1) underwent placement of two DBS electrodes (one at the VIM/VOP border and one at the VOA/VOP border). Patients underwent preoperative testing and testing at a minimum of 6 months after implantation in four conditions: On VIM DBS/On VOA/VOP DBS; On VIM DBS/Off VOA VOP DBS (5 h DBS washout); Off VIM DBS/Off VOA/VOP DBS (12 h overnight washout); and Off VIM DBS/On VOA/VOP DBS (5 h DBS washout). RESULTS Each of the patients showed improvements in all four conditions when compared with the baseline. All of the improvements were maintained with chronic DBS, without tremor rebound. An analysis was performed to determine whether each condition was associated with symptom reduction (percentage change). The percentage reduction was significant for each condition and measure, despite the small number of participants. For the total tremor rating scale score, the Off VIM/Off VOA/VOP condition yielded less symptom reduction than the On VIM condition or the On VOA/VOP condition. The On VIM and On VOA/VOP conditions did not differ significantly from each other in terms of contralateral upper extremity symptoms or total clinical score. Activation of both the VIM and VOA/VOP electrodes was associated with the greatest symptom reduction. CONCLUSION Tremors, such as those examined in this study, that are refractory to medications and have a poor response to VIM DBS monotherapy, may respond favorably to VIM plus VOA/VOP DBS. Two electrodes may be better than one for the treatment of certain disorders; however, more study will be required to confirm this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly D Foote
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
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Bittar RG. Neuromodulation for movement disorders. J Clin Neurosci 2006; 13:315-8. [PMID: 16546394 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2005.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2005] [Accepted: 10/05/2005] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The field of movement disorder surgery is expanding rapidly. This has been accompanied by improvements in neuromodulation technology and neuroimaging, in addition to a realisation that the medical and destructive neurosurgical methods previously employed do not provide an acceptable long-term benefit for many of these patients. The contemporary treatment of Parkinson's disease, dystonia, and other tremulous disorders using deep brain chronic electrical stimulation will be reviewed, and future directions discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard G Bittar
- Australasian Movement Disorder and Pain Surgery (AMPS) Clinic, Melbourne, Australia.
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Bittar RG, Hyam J, Nandi D, Wang S, Liu X, Joint C, Bain PG, Gregory R, Stein J, Aziz TZ. Thalamotomy versus thalamic stimulation for multiple sclerosis tremor. J Clin Neurosci 2005; 12:638-42. [PMID: 16098758 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2004.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2004] [Accepted: 09/29/2004] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Disabling intractable tremor occurs frequently in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). There is currently no effective medical treatment available, and the results of surgical intervention have been variable. Thalamotomy has been the mainstay of neurosurgical therapy for intractable MS tremor, however the popularisation of deep brain stimulation (DBS) has led to the adoption of chronic thalamic stimulation in an attempt to ameliorate this condition. With the goal of examining the relative efficacy and adverse effects of these two surgical strategies, we studied twenty carefully selected patients with intractable MS tremor. Thalamotomy was performed in 10 patients, with chronic DBS administered to the remaining 10. Both thalamotomy and thalamic stimulation produced improvements in postural and intention tremor. The mean improvement in postural tremor at 16.2 months following surgery was 78%, compared with a 64% improvement after thalamic stimulation (14.6 month follow-up) (P > 0.05). Intention tremor improved by 72% in the group undergoing thalamotomy, a significantly larger gain than the 36% tremor reduction following DBS (P < 0.05). Early postoperative complications were common in both groups. Permanent complications related to surgery occurred in four patients overall. Following thalamotomy, long-term adverse effects were observed in three patients (30%), and comprised hemiparesis and seizures. Only one patient in the thalamic stimulation group experienced a permanent deficit (monoparesis). We conclude that thalamotomy is a more efficacious surgical treatment for intractable MS tremor, however the higher incidence of persistent neurological deficits in patients receiving lesional surgery may support the use of DBS as the preferred surgical strategy.
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Berk C, Carr J, Sinden M, Martzke J, Honey CR. Thalamic deep brain stimulation for the treatment of tremor due to multiple sclerosis: a prospective study of tremor and quality of life. J Neurosurg 2002; 97:815-20. [PMID: 12405368 DOI: 10.3171/jns.2002.97.4.0815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECT In several studies a significant reduction in tremor after thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been reported among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). It has not been determined if this results in an improved quality of life. In this study the authors prospectively evaluated the effects of thalamic DBS on tremor and quality of life. METHODS Videotapes of the patients' tremor were made preoperatively and 2 and 12 months postoperatively, and tremor was scored by a neurologist blinded to the treatment. Patients were tested pre- and postoperatively to measure any changes in their reported ability to perform selected activities of daily living and in their health-related quality of life. Patients were asked to complete a questionnaire about their satisfaction with the surgery. Postoperative changes were examined using paired t-tests. There were significant reductions in postural, action, and overall tremor at 2 and 12 months postoperatively. The patients' reported ability to feed themselves was significantly improved 2 months after surgery (p = 0.01). There were short-term trends toward improvement in reported dressing ability, personal hygiene, and writing. There were no significant changes in the SF-36 subscales or total score. CONCLUSIONS In this cohort of patients with MS who suffered from tremor, thalamic DBS significantly improved their tremor and ability to feed themselves. Patient satisfaction with the procedure, however, was variable. Preoperative patient education about what functions might (and might not) be improved is crucial to avoid unrealistic expectations. Our results indicate that younger patients with MS tremor who had a shorter disease duration and no superimposed ataxia benefited most from this surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caglar Berk
- Division of Neurosurgery and Neuropsychology at the Surgical Centre for Movement Disorders, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Schuurman PR, Bosch DA, Bossuyt PM, Bonsel GJ, van Someren EJ, de Bie RM, Merkus MP, Speelman JD. A comparison of continuous thalamic stimulation and thalamotomy for suppression of severe tremor. N Engl J Med 2000; 342:461-8. [PMID: 10675426 DOI: 10.1056/nejm200002173420703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 625] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deep-brain stimulation through an electrode implanted in the thalamus was developed as an alternative to thalamotomy for the treatment of drug-resistant tremor. Stimulation is thought to be as effective as thalamotomy but to have fewer complications. We examined the effects of these two procedures on the functional abilities of patients with drug-resistant tremor due to Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, or multiple sclerosis. METHODS Sixty-eight patients (45 with Parkinson's disease, 13 with essential tremor, and 10 with multiple sclerosis) were randomly assigned to undergo thalamotomy or thalamic stimulation. The primary outcome measure was the change in functional abilities six months after surgery, as measured by the Frenchay Activities Index. Scores for this index can range from 0 to 60, with higher scores indicating better function. Secondary outcome measures were the severity of tremor, the number of adverse effects, and patients' assessment of the outcome. RESULTS Functional status improved more in the thalamic-stimulation group than in the thalamotomy group, as indicated by increases in the score for the Frenchay Activities Index (from 31.4 to 36.3 and from 32.0 to 32.5, respectively; difference between groups, 4.4 points; 95 percent confidence interval, 2.0 to 6.9). After adjustment for base-line characteristics, multivariate analysis also showed that the thalamic-stimulation group had greater improvement (difference between groups, 5.1 points; 95 percent confidence interval, 2.3 to 7.9). Tremor was suppressed completely or almost completely in 27 of 34 patients in the thalamotomy group and in 30 of 33 patients in the thalamic-stimulation group. One patient in the thalamic-stimulation group died perioperatively after an intracerebral hemorrhage. With the exception of this incident, thalamic stimulation was associated with significantly fewer adverse effects than thalamotomy. Functional status was reported as improved by 8 patients in the thalamotomy group, as compared with 18 patients in the thalamic-stimulation group (P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS Thalamic stimulation and thalamotomy are equally effective for the suppression of drug-resistant tremor, but thalamic stimulation has fewer adverse effects and results in a greater improvement in function.
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Affiliation(s)
- P R Schuurman
- Department of Neurology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Abstract
Symptom management is the assessment and treatment of the manifestations of multiple sclerosis (MS). Optimal treatment includes patient education, rehabilitation, counseling, and sometimes medical or surgical therapy. A multi-disciplinary treatment team is usually required to provide the wide range of services necessary to manage MS symptoms. This article will review the medical and surgical options used in the management of primary MS symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- L M Metz
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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