Early internal capsule infarction following globus pallidus internus lesioning for cervical dystonia

Ischemia associated with lesioning for the treatment of cervical dystonia is a very rare phenomenon. We reported a case of early internal capsule infarction following GPi lesioning for cervical dystonia.

A 56-year-old man with one year history of progressive onset of cervical dystonia which was unresponsive to medical therapy. He was planned for bilateral globus pallidus internus pallidotomy. After completion of the procedure on one side and the successful completion of stimulation and test lesion on another side, the patient suddenly developed dysarthria and one sided weakness. Post-operative magnetic resonance imaging revealed acute infarction in the posterior end of the internal capsule. The patient was managed conservatively and underwent physiotherapy and rehabilitation care. He recovered gradually with modified ranking scale 3 on discharge.

Globus pallidus internus lesioning or ablation is one of the surgical treatment for dystonia and movement disorder. Though considered as a safe technique, various risk are associated with the procedure. Ischemia is one of the associated risk but is a very rare phenomenon. Though the patient did not have any signs of pre-operative ischemia, the occlusion of one of the perforators to internal capsule during ablation may be the cause of intra-operative ischemia.

Ischemia associated with lesioning in the treatment of cervical dystonia is a very rare phenomenon. Though, ischemia related with radiofrequency ablation is very rare and sporadic, one has to be very cautious during GPi pallidotomy to prevent occlusion of perforators to internal capsule.