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Skin erosion over implants in deep brain stimulation patients
Esteban Peña1, Jesus Pastor, Virgilio Hernando
1Division of Neurosurgery, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Madrid, Spain.
Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery
|February 14, 2008
Summary
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) using the Kinetra device in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients is linked to a higher risk of skin erosion. Further research into PD patient skin and smaller DBS systems is recommended to reduce this complication.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Biomedical Engineering
- Dermatology
Background:
- Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD) and other neurological disorders.
- Skin erosion is a potential complication of implanted neurostimulation devices.
- The Kinetra and Soletra systems are types of DBS devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors associated with skin erosion in patients receiving DBS.
- To investigate the relationship between specific DBS devices and erosion development.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 55 patients treated with DBS (Kinetra or Soletra).
- Comparison of erosion incidence between device types and patient conditions.
- Correlation analysis of patient factors (age, immobility, PD severity) with erosion.
Main Results:
- Nine out of 55 patients developed skin erosion.
- All erosions occurred in Parkinson's disease patients using the Kinetra device (p < 0.005).
- Erosion was not linked to age, immobility, or PD severity in affected patients.
Conclusions:
- The Kinetra DBS device may be associated with a higher risk of skin erosion in PD patients, potentially due to its larger size and dual-lead configuration.
- Further investigation into the role of PD patient skin properties and the utility of smaller DBS systems is warranted to mitigate erosion rates.
