[Ballism syndromes treated by cryothalamotomy].

Two cases of ballism of different aetiology and clinical manifestations are reported. One of them was a typical case of hemiballism with exceptionally violent hyperkineses leading to injuries to extremities. The syndrome developed after stroke. Cryothalamotomy caused regression of violent hyperkineses and made possible resuming of independent life. In another case, less certain with respect to aetiology, the patient had bilateral ballism with preponderance of the right side and with falling. Unilateral (left sided cryothalamotomy caused a significant improvement of contralateral hyperkineses and even of ipsilateral hyperkineses so that the patient could walk and eat. In most cases ballism requires surgical treatment with thalamotomy and in case of hemiballism this treatment makes possible complete regression of violent hyperkineses.