Deep brain stimulation of the globus pallidus suppresses post-traumatic dystonic tremor

Dystonic tremor is an unusual movement disorder that is highly disabling and difficult to treat medically. We describe an 18-year-old patient with dystonic tremor whose medical treatment failed, and was considered for surgery. The patient had a long-standing dystonic tremor and was recommended for globus pallidus (GP) deep brain stimulation. At 2 year follow-up, we observed substantial tremor suppression and best clinical effect with contact three, which, radiographically, is located in the internal globus pallidus/external globus pallidus transition area. The stimulation was more rostral than expected. We conclude that the GP is a potentially useful therapeutic target for dystonic tremor.