Video-Guided Optimization of Stimulation Settings in Patients with Parkinson's Disease and Deep Brain Stimulation.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's disease (PD) often necessitates frequent clinic visits for stimulation program optimization, with limited experience in remote patient management. Due to the resource-intensive nature of these procedures, we investigated a way to simplify stimulation optimization for these patients that allows for the continuous monitoring of symptoms while also reducing patient burden and travel distances. To this end, we prospectively recruited ten patients treated with DBS for PD to evaluate the feasibility of telemedicinal optimization in a home-based setting.

Automatic Detection of Directional Lead Orientation in Deep Brain Stimulation using Photon-Counting Detector Computed Tomography: A Phantom Study.

Introduction: Photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) represents the next generation of CT technology, offering enhanced capabilities for detecting the orientation of directional leads in deep brain stimulation (DBS). This study aims to refine PCD-CT-based lead orientation determination using an automated method applicable to devices from various manufacturers, addressing current methodological limitations and improving neurosurgical precision.

Methods: An automated method was developed to ascertain the orientation of directional DBS leads using PCD-CT data and grayscale model fitting for devices from Boston Scientific, Medtronic, and Abbott.

Diffusion tensor imaging in pediatric patients with dystonia.

Background: Childhood-onset dystonia is often progressive and severely impairs a child´s life. The pathophysiology is very heterogeneous and treatment responses vary in patients with dystonia. Factors influencing treatment effects remain to be elucidated.

General Algorithm Applicability in Determining DBS Lead Orientation: Adapting 2D and 3D X-Ray Techniques for SenSightTM Leads.

Introduction: With recent advancements in deep brain stimulation (DBS), directional leads featuring segmented contacts have been introduced, allowing for targeted stimulation of specific brain regions. Given that manufacturers employ diverse markers for lead orientation, our investigation focuses on the adaptability of the 2017 techniques proposed by the Cologne research group for lead orientation determination.

Methods: We tailored the two separate 2D and 3D X-ray-based techniques published in 2017 and originally developed for C-shaped markers, to the dual-marker of the Medtronic SenSight™ lead.

Incidence and Management of Hardware-Related Wound Infections in Spinal Cord, Peripheral Nerve Field, and Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery: A Single-Center Study.

Introduction: Neuromodulation using deep brain stimulation (DBS), spinal cord stimulation (SCS), and peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) to treat neurological, psychiatric, and pain disorders is a rapidly growing field. Infections related to the implanted hardware are among the most common complications and result in health-related and economic burden. Unfortunately, conservative medical therapy is less likely to be successful.

Neuroimaging-based analysis of DBS outcomes in pediatric dystonia: Insights from the GEPESTIM registry.

Introduction: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an established treatment in patients of various ages with pharmaco-resistant neurological disorders. Surgical targeting and postoperative programming of DBS depend on the spatial location of the stimulating electrodes in relation to the surrounding anatomical structures, and on electrode connectivity to a specific distribution pattern within brain networks. Such information is usually collected using group-level analysis, which relies on the availability of normative imaging resources (atlases and connectomes).

Pallidal deep brain stimulation in a patient with nonketotic hyperglycemic hemichorea.

Background: Hyperkinetic movement disorders secondary to brain tissue damage due to hyperglycemia are a rare complication of diabetes mellitus. Nonketotic hyperglycemic hemichorea (NH-HC) is characterized by a rapid onset of involuntary movements after increased serum glucose levels.

Case Description: We report on a case of a 62-year-old male patient with a 28-year history of Type II diabetes mellitus with NH-HC following an infect-associated exacerbation of blood glucose levels.

Quality of Life After Deep Brain Stimulation of Pediatric Patients with Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy: A Prospective, Single-Arm, Multicenter Study with a Subsequent Randomized Double-Blind Crossover (STIM-CP).

Background: Patients with dyskinetic cerebral palsy are often severely impaired with limited treatment options. The effects of deep brain stimulation (DBS) are less pronounced than those in inherited dystonia but can be associated with favorable quality of life outcomes even in patients without changes in dystonia severity.

Objective: The aim is to assess DBS effects in pediatric patients with pharmacorefractory dyskinetic cerebral palsy with focus on quality of life.

DiODe v2: Unambiguous and Fully-Automated Detection of Directional DBS Lead Orientation.

Directional deep brain stimulation (DBS) leads are now widely used, but the orientation of directional leads needs to be taken into account when relating DBS to neuroanatomy. Methods that can reliably and unambiguously determine the orientation of directional DBS leads are needed. In this study, we provide an enhanced algorithm that determines the orientation of directional DBS leads from postoperative CT scans.

Thalamic Deep Brain Stimulation in Essential Tremor Plus Is as Effective as in Essential Tremor.

The new essential tremor (ET) classification defined ET-plus (ET-p) as an ET subgroup with additional neurological signs besides action tremor. While deep brain stimulation (DBS) is effective in ET, there are no studies specifically addressing DBS effects in ET-p. 44 patients with medication-refractory ET and thalamic/subthalamic DBS implanted at our center were postoperatively classified into ET and ET-p according to preoperative documentation.

Potentials and Limitations of Directional Deep Brain Stimulation: A Simulation Approach.

Background: Directional leads are increasingly used in deep brain stimulation. They allow shaping the electrical field in the axial plane. These new possibilities increase the complexity of programming.

Temporal Stability of Lead Orientation in Directional Deep Brain Stimulation.

Background: Directional deep brain stimulation (DBS) enlarges the therapeutic window by increasing side-effect thresholds and improving clinical benefits. To determine the optimal stimulation settings and interpret clinical observations, knowledge of the lead orientation in relation to the patient's anatomy is required.

Objective: To determine if directional leads remain in a fixed orientation after implantation or whether orientation changes over time.

PSA and VIM DBS efficiency in essential tremor depends on distance to the dentatorubrothalamic tract.

Objective: To investigate the relation between deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the posterior-subthalamic-area (PSA) and the ventral-intermediate-nucleus (VIM) and the distance to the dentatorubrothalamic tract (DRTT) in essential tremor (ET).

Methods: Tremor rating scale (TRS) hemi-scores were analyzed in 13 ET patients, stimulated in both the VIM and the PSA in a randomized, crossover trial. Distances of PSA and VIM contacts to population-based DRTTs were calculated.

DiODe: Directional Orientation Detection of Segmented Deep Brain Stimulation Leads: A Sequential Algorithm Based on CT Imaging.

Background: Directional deep brain stimulation (DBS) allows steering the stimulation in an axial direction which offers greater flexibility in programming. However, accurate anatomical visualization of the lead orientation is required for interpreting the observed stimulation effects and to guide programming.

Objectives: In this study we aimed to develop and test an accurate and robust algorithm for determining the orientation of segmented electrodes based on standard postoperative CT imaging used in DBS.

A functional micro-electrode mapping of ventral thalamus in essential tremor.

Deep brain stimulation enables the delivery of therapeutic interventions to otherwise inaccessible areas of the brain while, at the same time, offering the unique opportunity to record from these same regions in awake patients. The posterior ventrolateral thalamus has become a reliable deep brain stimulation target for medically-refractory patients suffering from essential tremor. However, the contribution of the thalamus in essential tremor, and even whether posterior ventrolateral thalamus is the optimal target, remains a matter of ongoing debate.

DBS of the PSA and the VIM in essential tremor: A randomized, double-blind, crossover trial.

Objective: To evaluate deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the posterior subthalamic area (PSA) in essential tremor (ET) and compare it to the ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus (VIM) in terms of stimulation efficacy, efficiency, and side effects.

Methods: DBS leads were implanted such that contacts were placed in the VIM, on the intercommissural line, and in the PSA. Thirteen patients with ET entered a randomized, double-blind crossover phase and completed a 1-year follow-up.

Directional DBS increases side-effect thresholds-A prospective, double-blind trial.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate whether directional deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus in Parkinson's disease (PD) offers increased therapeutic windows, side-effect thresholds, and clinical benefit.

Methods: In 10 patients, 20 monopolar reviews were conducted in a prospective, randomized, double-blind design to identify the best stimulation directions and compare them to conventional circular DBS regarding side-effect thresholds, motor improvement, and therapeutic window. In addition, circular and best-directional DBS were directly compared in a short-term crossover.

Determining the orientation angle of directional leads for deep brain stimulation using computed tomography and digital x-ray imaging: A phantom study.

Purpose: Orientating the angle of directional leads for deep brain stimulation (DBS) in an axial plane introduces a new degree of freedom that is indicated by embedded anisotropic directional markers. Our aim was to develop algorithms to determine lead orientation angles from computed tomography (CT) and stereotactic x-ray imaging using standard clinical protocols, and subsequently assess the accuracy of both methods.

Methods: In CT the anisotropic marker artifact was taken as a signature of the lead orientation angle and analyzed using discrete Fourier transform of circular intensity profiles.

The Effect of Uni- and Bilateral Thalamic Deep Brain Stimulation on Speech in Patients With Essential Tremor: Acoustics and Intelligibility.

Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) is performed to suppress medically-resistant essential tremor (ET). However, stimulation induced dysarthria (SID) is a common side effect, limiting the extent to which tremor can be suppressed. To date, the exact pathogenesis of SID in VIM-DBS treated ET patients is unknown.

Deep brain stimulation of the posterior subthalamic area and the thalamus in patients with essential tremor: study protocol for a randomized controlled pilot trial.

Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) of the thalamus is effective in medication refractory essential tremor (ET). In recent years, evidence has accumulated that the region ventral to the VIM, the posterior subthalamic area (PSA), might be an equally or even more effective target for electrode implantation. However, this evidence is primarily based on case series, cross-sectional observations, and retrospective data.

Intracranial stereotactic radiosurgery with an adapted linear accelerator vs. robotic radiosurgery: Comparison of dosimetric treatment plan quality.

Background And Purpose: Stereotactic radiosurgery with an adapted linear accelerator (linac-SRS) is an established therapy option for brain metastases, benign brain tumors, and arteriovenous malformations. We intended to investigate whether the dosimetric quality of treatment plans achieved with a CyberKnife (CK) is at least equivalent to that for linac-SRS with circular or micromultileaf collimators (microMLC).

Patients And Methods: A random sample of 16 patients with 23 target volumes, previously treated with linac-SRS, was replanned with CK.

Utilization of predefined stimulation groups by essential tremor patients treated with VIM-DBS.

Objective: To identify the utilization and general acceptance of switching between predefined stimulation groups in essential tremor (ET) patients treated with deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) of the thalamus.

Methods: Thirty-eight patients treated with VIM-DBS completed a telephone survey. This was designed to identify the general utilization of patient controllers and the specific usage of stimulation groups.