Dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease treated by deep brain stimulation once electrode position was revised: case report

Repositioning of a subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation lead alleviated a parkinsonian patient's dyskinesias without the need for parkinsonian medication reduction. After the initial placement and programming, the patient was doing well. During repair of a skin erosion, the lead moved ventral and the patient developed severe dyskinesias and, when the deep brain stimulation system was on, diplopia. Multiple reprogramming attempts did not alleviate these problems. The electrode was moved dorsally by about 6 mm. Intraoperatively the patient's dyskinesias stopped with no diplopia with the stimulator on. Two years after the revision the patient is doing very well.