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[Comparison and examination of stereotactic surgical complications in movement disorders]

Tohru Terao1, Ryouichi Okiyama, Hiroshi Takahashi

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Tokyo Metropolitan Neurological Hospital, 2-6-1 Musashidai, Fuchu-city, Tokyo 183-0042, Japan.

Insights

This study analyzed surgical complications from deep brain stimulation (DBS) and radiofrequency (RF) coagulation for movement disorders. Younger patients undergoing DBS had fewer complications, while elderly patients undergoing RF coagulation faced higher risks.

Area of Science:

  • Neurosurgery
  • Neurology
  • Medical Engineering

Background:

  • Stereotactic surgery, including deep brain stimulation (DBS) and radiofrequency (RF) coagulation, is used for movement disorders.
  • Assessing surgical complication rates is crucial for patient safety and procedural refinement.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence of surgical complications in MRI-targeted, microelectrode recording (MER)-guided DBS and RF-coagulation procedures.
  • To analyze complication types and rates across different surgical targets (globus pallidus, thalamus, subthalamic nucleus).

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 110 stereotactic surgeries (57 RF-coagulations, 53 DBS implantations) performed between January 1998 and September 2002.
  • Categorization of complications into neurological and radiological/instrumental.
  • Evaluation of complication rates based on surgical target and patient demographics.

Main Results:

  • A total of 24 neurological and 16 radiological/instrumental complications were observed.
  • Hemiparesis and mental disturbances were common neurological complications; intraoperative hemorrhage was frequent radiologically.
  • Subthalamic nucleus (STN)-targeted DBS showed a higher rate of visual hallucinations (VH).

Conclusions:

  • Deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery, particularly in younger patients, presents a lower risk of complications.
  • Radiofrequency (RF) coagulation surgery in elderly patients is associated with higher complication risks.
  • STN-DBS may alter the threshold for stimulus-induced hallucinations, potentially linked to peduncular damage or L-dopa toxicity.

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