Objective: We aimed to assess, whether the thalamic ventral intermediate nucleus (Vim) might be an alternative target for DBS in choreoathetosis.

Background: Choreoathetosis is common in patients with cerebral palsy, and medical treatment is mostly unsatisfactory. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the globus pallidus internus (GPi) has shown some effect, but there is still a need to optimize treatment strategies.

Methods: Three patients with cerebral palsy and choreoathetosis underwent implantation of DBS electrodes concurrently in the GPi and Vim. Final selection of stimulation site and switches during follow-up with corresponding clinical outcomes were assessed.

Results: In one patient Vim was chosen as initial target for chronic DBS. Since clinical benefit was not yet satisfying, stimulation was switched to GPi resulting in further mild clinical improvement (BFM: pre-OP 99.5, Vim 82.5, GPi 82). In one patient GPi was selected and kept on follow-up due to some therapeutic effect (BFM: pre-OP 132, GPi DBS 121). One patient with initial GPi stimulation was switched to Vim, but likewise did not improve significantly (BFM: pre-OP 142, GPi 140, Vim 134) and stimulation was discontinued.

Conclusions: The GPi still represents the most convenient DBS target in patients with choreoathetosis. Vim DBS did not show a relevant long-term benefit in everyday life in our patients. Further alternative DBS targets need to be considered in acquired dystonia.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/deep-brain-stimulation-for-choreoathetosis-in-cerebral-palsy-pallidal-versus-thalamic-stimulation/