Postanoxic generalized dystonia improved by bilateral Voa thalamic deep brain stimulation

Abstract

A patient with severe postanoxic dystonia and bilateral necrosis of the basal ganglia, who was confined to a wheelchair, underwent bilateral ventralis oralis anterior deep brain stimulation (Voa-DBS) after 6 weeks of unsuccessful bilateral pallidal DBS (GPi-DBS). After 4 months of high intensity Voa-DBS, cognitively unimpaired, he showed major improvement in dystonia, became ambulant, but committed suicide. Brain examination confirmed the correct location of the electrodes in GPi and Voa on both sides.