Skin erosion over implants in deep brain stimulation patients.

We analyzed factors associated with skin erosion in 55 patients treated with deep brain stimulation (Kinetra or Soletra) for Parkinson's (PD) or other diseases. Nine of 55 patients developed erosion, all of whom were PD patients who had been fitted with a Kinetra device (r = 0.9292; p < 0.005). Erosions may be due to an increased pressure over the skin resulting from the larger size and weight of the Kinetra device. Alternatively, erosions in patients with the Kinetra device and bilateral leads may arise from the larger size of the 2 extension wires into the same subcutaneous tunnel and from the larger size of the 2 close parieto-occipital connections on the same cranial side. In PD patients, erosions were not related to age, immobility or PD severity. Specific studies examining the role of the skin of PD patients in erosion development and the use of smaller stimulation systems may help minimize the erosion rate.