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October 29, 2009
We saw about the thalamotomy treatment for tremor and its effects. Studies have approved deep brain stimulation as a treatment for severe essential tremor recently. With recent advances in neurological imaging, stereotactic brain surgery and electronic reading of brain signals, surgical treatments for tremor have returned. Both thalamotomy and deep brain stimulation begin by boring a hole in the skull and guiding a wire to the target. However thalamotomy permanently destroys the target and all surgical devices are removed from the body while deep brain stimulation leaves the electrode-tipped wire permanently in the target. Thalamotomies performed on both sides of the brain result in more serious side-effects. Deep brain stimulation cause long term numbness of the limb in 20 percent of the patients. Complications often reduce or disappear when stimulation decreases or stops. Payment for stimulation surgery is still unresolved. Experts explain that a stimulation surgery requires a life-long relationship with a neurologist or neurosurgeon. Additional visits and subsequent necessary surgeries add further costs. Experience with deep brain stimulation is essential to obtain repeated good results. Only a few leading surgeons have significant experience in this field. Watch for my next post on Microsoft Continuous data protection
