Stereotactic thalamotomy for dystonic patients.

A total of 54 patients (22 females and 32 males) with dystonia underwent thalamotomy. These patients consisted of 25 dystonia musculorum deformans (DMD) and 29 secondary dystonia cases. All of the patients were analyzed prospectively. Preoperative and postoperative symptoms were compared and grade. The target areas of thalamotomy were the ventral intermediate (Vim) and posterior ventral oral (Vop) nuclei. 59% of the patients showed more than 25% improvement, 23% were slightly improved cases (less than 25%), and 16% showed no change or their symptoms had worsened.