Tremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movements (Feb 2014)
Rescue GPi-DBS for a Stroke Associated Hemiballism in a Patient with STN-DBS
Abstract
Background: Hemiballism/hemichorea commonly occurs as a result of a lesion in the subthalamic region.Case Report: A 38‐year‐old male with Parkinson’s disease developed intractable hemiballism in his left extremities due to a small lesion that was located adjacent to the right deep brain stimulation (DBS) lead, 10 months after bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN)‐DBS placement. He underwent a right globus pallidus internus (GPi)‐DBS lead implantation. GPi‐DBS satisfactorily addressed his hemiballism.Discussion: This case offered a unique look at basal ganglia physiology in human hemiballism. GPi‐DBS is a reasonable therapeutic option for the treatment of medication refractory hemiballism in the setting of Parkinson’s disease.