Long-term effects of bilateral pallidal deep brain stimulation in dystonia: a follow-up between 8 and 16 years

Observational study to evaluate the long-term motor and non-motor effects of deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the globus pallidus internus (GPi) on medically refractory dystonia.

Dystonia is a chronic disease affecting mainly young patients with a regular life expectancy and lifelong need for therapy. Pallidal DBS is an established treatment for severe isolated dystonia but long-term data are sparse.

We considered 36 consecutive patients with isolated generalized (n = 14) and cervical/segmental (n = 22) dystonia operated at Charité-University Hospital between 2000 and 2007 in a retrospective analysis for long-term outcome of pallidal DBS. In 19 of these patients, we could analyze dystonic symptoms and disability rated by the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating scale (BFMDRS) at baseline, short-term (ST-FU, range 3-36 months) and long-term follow-up (LT-FU, range 93-197 months). Quality of life and mood were evaluated using the SF36 and Beck Depression Index (BDI) questionnaires.

Patients reached an improvement in motor symptoms of 63.8 ± 5.7% (mean ± SE) at ST-FU and 67.9 ± 6.1% at LT-FU. Moreover, a significant and stable reduction in disability was shown following DBS (54.2 ± 9.4% at ST-FU and 53.8 ± 9.2% at LT-FU). BDI and SF36 had improved by 40% and 23%, respectively, at LT-FU (n = 14). Stimulation-induced adverse events included swallowing difficulties, dysarthria, and bradykinesia. Pulse generator (n = 3) and electrodes (n = 5) were revised in seven patients due to infection.

Pallidal DBS is a safe and efficacious long-term treatment for dystonia with sustained effects on motor impairment and disability, accompanied by a robust improvement in mood and quality of life.