Pallidal deep brain stimulation and intraoperative neurophysiology for treatment of poststroke hemiballism

Abstract

Deep brain stimulation is a recognized and effective treatment for several movement disorders. Nevertheless, the efficacy of this intervention on abnormal movements secondary to structural brain pathologies is less consistent. In this report, we describe a case of hemiballism–hemichorea due to a peripartum ischemic stroke-treated with deep brain stimulation of the globus pallidus internus. Patient observed marked improvement in her symptoms at long-term follow-up. Neurophysiologic data revealed lower globus pallidus internus firing rates compared to other hyperkinetic disorders. Pallidal deep brain stimulation is a plausible option for medically refractory hemiballism–hemichorea and cumulative data from multiple centers may be used to fully evaluate its efficacy.