Posteromedial Hypothalamic Deep Brain Stimulation for Refractory Aggressiveness in a Patient With Weaver Syndrome: Clinical, Technical Report and Operative Video

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillermo Blasco García de Andoain ◽  
Marta Navas García ◽  
Óscar González Aduna ◽  
Alvaro Bocos Portillo ◽  
Elena Ezquiaga Terrazas ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE Deep brain stimulation of the posteromedial hypothalamus (PMH DBS) appears to be an effective treatment for drug-resistant aggressiveness. Weaver syndrome (WS) is a rare genetic disorder in which patients develop some degree of intellectual disability and rarely severe behavioral alterations that may benefit from this procedure. CLINICAL PRESENTATION We present the case of a 26-yr-old man diagnosed with WS presenting with uncontrollable self and heteroaggressiveness and disruptive behavior refractory to pharmacological treatment and under severe physical and mechanical restraining measures. The patient was successfully treated with bilateral PMH DBS resulting in affective improvement, greater tolerance for signs of affection, regularization in his sleep pattern and appetite disturbances at 12-mo follow-up. A detailed description and video of the procedure are presented, and a review of the clinical characteristics of WS and the utility and benefits of PMH DBS for refractory aggressiveness are reviewed. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the first case of refractory aggressiveness described in WS as well as the first patient with WS successfully treated with PMH DBS.

2015 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. E12 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Segar ◽  
Yosef G. Chodakiewitz ◽  
Radmehr Torabi ◽  
G. Rees Cosgrove

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been reported to have beneficial effects in severe, treatment-refractory cases of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and Tourette syndrome (TS). In this report, the authors present the first case in which DBS was used to treat the neuropsychiatric symptoms of Kleefstra syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterized by childhood hypotonia, intellectual disability, distinctive facial features, and myriad psychiatric and behavioral disturbances. A 24-year-old female patient with childhood hypotonia, developmental delay, and diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder, OCD, and TS refractory to medical management underwent the placement of bilateral ventral capsule/ventral striatum (VC/VS) DBS leads, with clinical improvement. Medical providers and family observed gradual and progressive improvement in the patient's compulsive behaviors, coprolalia, speech, and social interaction. Symptoms recurred when both DBS electrodes failed because of lead fracture and dislodgement, although the clinical benefits were restored by lead replacement. The symptomatic and functional improvements observed in this case of VC/VS DBS for Kleefstra syndrome suggest a novel indication for DBS worthy of further investigation.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 738-743 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abilash Haridas ◽  
Michele Tagliati ◽  
Irene Osborn ◽  
Ioannis Isaias ◽  
Yakov Gologorsky ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) at the internal globus pallidus (GPi) has replaced ablative procedures for the treatment of primary generalized dystonia (PGD) because it is adjustable, reversible, and yields robust clinical improvement that appears to be long lasting. OBJECTIVE: To describe the long-term responses to pallidal DBS of a consecutive series of 22 pediatric patients with PGD. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of 22 consecutive PGD patients, ≤21 years of age treated by one DBS team over an 8-year period. The Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS) was used to evaluate symptom severity and functional disability, pre- and post-operatively. Adverse events and medication changes were also noted. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 2 years (range, 1-8 years). All 22 patients reached 1-year follow-up; 14 reached 2 years, and 11 reached 3 years. The BFMDRS motor subscores were improved 84%, 93%, and 94% (median) at these time points. These motor responses were matched by equivalent improvements in function, and the response to DBS resulted in significant reductions in oral and intrathecal medication requirements after 12 and 24 months of stimulation. There were no hemorrhages or neurological complications related to surgery and no adverse effects from stimulation. Significant hardware-related complications were noted, in particular, infection (14%), which delayed clinical improvement. CONCLUSION: Pallidal DBS is a safe and effective treatment for PGD in patients <21 years of age. The improvement appears durable. Improvement in device design should reduce hardware-related complications over time.


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