Long-term chronic stimulation of internal capsule in poststroke pain and spasticity. Case report, long-term results and review of the literature

Abstract

This report describes the long-term follow-up of chronic stimulation of the posterior limb of the internal capsule (IC) adjacent to the sensory thalamus in an elderly patient who suffered pain and spasticity in the left leg due to stroke. Both pain and motor symptoms ameliorated during 5 years of deep brain stimulation. Our case report suggests the possibility to stimulate a more precise representation of the inferior limbs within the IC and thalamus. We propose that chronic stimulation of the IC might be an effective surgical option to motor cortex stimulation when the pain and spasticity are referred to the lower limbs.