Deep brain stimulation in children with dystonia: experience from a tertiary care center.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy and safety of deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the globus pallidus internus (GPi) in children with dystonia.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review of patients (≤21 years) with dystonia who underwent GPi DBS. Outcome measures were assessed by the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating (BFMDR) movement and disability scales pre- and post-DBS.

RESULTS

Eight patients underwent DBS; mean age of onset was 7.5 ± 4.8 years (7 were male). Mean age at DBS was 14.1 ± 4.6 years. Etiology of dystonia was primary in 6 patients and secondary in 2. There was significant improvement of BFMDR movement as well as BFMDR disability scales in 6 patients with primary dystonia with modest improvement in those scales in 2 patients with secondary dystonia. Hardware-related problems were observed in 2 and infection was noted in 1.

CONCLUSIONS

GPi DBS is an effective and safe therapy in pediatric patients with primary as well as selected cases of secondary dystonia.