Objective: We report a case that showed Postoperative cerebral edema around a deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrode and review the literature to explore its possible causes.

Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an approved and effective therapy for patients suffering from advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD). Several clinical trials have indicated that DBS is rarely associated with complications,mostly related to infections, seizures or stimulation-induced side effects. There is a paucity of literature on the clinical course and treatment of DBS lead edema.

Methods: Analysis of a patient who underwent bilateral placement of subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation leads and presented with Delayed-onset Edema through pathology，diagnosis ，treatment and radiology data.

Results: We report a case of a 64-year-old man with a 8-year history of PD who underwent bilateral placement of subthalamic nucleus DBS. As a complication, the patient presented with disorder of consciousness six months later after the surgery.MRI of the brain showed significantly atrophy of brain and peri-lead edema, Infectious, inflammatory, and ischemic causes were thoroughly investigated and ruled out. The patient received steroid therapy but the patient is still in shallow coma.

Conclusions: Conclusion: The postoperative complication which has more serious and enduring symptoms is different from the common electrode peripheral edema after DBS.And the aetiology could be an immune hypersensitivity reaction to the lead material.Progress of pathology could improve the recognition of this complication.

References: Weaver FM, Follett K, Stern M Jr et al. Bilateral deep brain stimulation vs best medical therapy for patients with advanced Parkinson disease: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2009;301:63–73.

« Back to 2018 International Congress

MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/delayed-onset-edema-surrounding-deep-brain-stimulation-leads-insights-from-a-case-series-and-literature-review/