Volume of tissue activated within subthalamic nucleus and clinical efficacy of deep brain stimulation in Meige...

The clinical efficacy of deep brain stimulation (DBS) relies on the optimal electrode placement in a large extent. Subthalamic nucleus (STN) DBS was recognized as clinically effective for Meige syndrome. This study identified the correlations of volume of tissue activated (VTA) within the motor STN and the final efficacy of the surgical procedure.

Clinical outcomes of the patients (n=25) were evaluated with the percentage improvement in Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale movement (BFMDRS-M) scores at the last follow-up (LFU) visit. Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated to identify the relationship of the final clinical outcomes with the VTA within the STN, VTA within the different STN territories, and other clinical variables.

On the whole, the patients showed an average of 59.21% improvement at the LFU visit relative to the baseline (5.72 ± 7.31 vs. 13.70 ± 7.36, P ˂ 0.001). Active electrode contacts mainly clustered in the STN motor territories. There were significant positive correlations between the BFMDRS-M percentage improvement and VTA within the STN (Pearson r = 0.434, P = 0.039) and the STN motor territories (r = 0.430, P = 0.041), but not associative or limbic STN. Other basic clinical characteristics including age, disease duration, and preoperative scores were not significantly correlated with the final outcomes.

Our study further validated the efficacy of STN-DBS in even the cases with intractable Meige syndrome. Furthermore, VTA within the motor STN could serve as a potential prognostic factor for the final clinical outcomes.