J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2009 Jul;46(1):52-55. 10.3340/jkns.2009.46.1.52.

Thalamic Deep Brain Stimulation for Writer's Cramp

• Cho CB
• Park HK
• Lee KJ
• Rha HK

• KMID: 2189886
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2009.46.1.52

Abstract

Writer's cramp is a type of idiopathic focal hand dystonia characterized by muscle cramps that accompany execution of the writing task specifically. There has been renewed interest in neurosurgical procedures for the treatment of dystonia over the past several years. In particular, deep brain stimulation (DBS) has received increasing attention as a therapeutic option for patients with dystonia. However, to date, limited reporters made investigations into DBS in relation to the Writer's cramp. In this case, unilateral Ventro-oralis complex (Vo) DBS resulted in a major improvement in patient's focal dystonic movement disorders. Her post-operative Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating (BFMDR) scale demonstrated 1 compared with pre-operative BFMDR scale 4. We conclude that thalamic Vo complex DBS may be an important neurosurgical therapeutic option for Writer's cramp.

Keyword

Writer's cramp; Deep brain stimulation

MeSH Terms

Deep Brain Stimulation
Dystonia
Dystonic Disorders
Hand
Humans
Movement Disorders
Muscle Cramp
Neurosurgical Procedures
Writing