Ablative surgery for obsessive-compulsive disorders

Abstract

Intractable OCD and depression cause tremendous suffering. An estimated 20% of patients remain severely affected in spite of the best available medication and behavioural therapies. Existing data suggest that lesion procedures can benefit a large proportion (ranging from about 60 to 80%) of patients with medically intractable OCD. Long-term serious adverse events are very infrequent. Functional Neuroimaging neuroimaging studies play an extremely important role in understanding the mechanisms of disease development and therapeutic action. Our experience over the past 10 years provides evidence that the most recent lesion procedures are even safer, alleviate suffering, and improve the quality of lifeQuality of life of patients with these disabling disorders.