Deep brain stimulation of the nucleus ventralis intermedius for Holmes (rubral) tremor and associated dystonia caused by upper brainstem lesions

Abstract

Holmes tremor is caused by structural lesions in the perirubral area of the midbrain. Patients often present with associated symptoms such as dystonia and paresis, which are usually refractory to medical therapy. Here, the authors describe two patients in whom both tremor and associated dystonia improved markedly following unilateral stimulation of the thalamic nucleus ventralis intermedius.