Background: Deep brain stimulation of the internal pallidum (GPi-DBS) is effective for various types of drug-refractory primary dystonias. Rare clinical forms as dystonic camptocormia may profit but available data are scarce.
Methods: We here report on a retrospective clinical assessment of three patients with primary dystonic camptocormia treated with GPi-DBS.
Results: All three patients showed marked response to bilateral GPi-DBS within days to weeks after surgery which was preserved in the long-term (38-45 months after implantation: mean improvement 82% as rated on the Burke Fahn Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale, 89% in the subitem "trunk"). Two patients developed mild stimulation induced speech problems (stuttering or dysarthria) which resolved with reprogramming or were acceptable in return for the control of dystonic symptoms.
Conclusions: The diagnosis and treatment of camptocormia will continue to require expert knowledge in movement and neuromuscular disorders, but DBS may expand treatment options in this difficult patient population.
Keywords: Camptocormia; Deep brain stimulation; Dystonia; Globus pallidus internus.
Copyright © 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.