Deep Brain Stimulation in Children with Dystonia: Experience from a Tertiary Care Center

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the globus pallidus internus (GPi) in children with dystonia. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of patients (≤21 years) with dystonia who underwent GPi DBS. Outcome measures were assessed by the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating (BFMDR) movement and disability scales pre- and post-DBS. RESULTS: Eight patients underwent DBS; mean age of onset was 7.5 ± 4.8 years (7 were male). Mean age at DBS was 14.1 ± 4.6 years. Etiology of dystonia was primary in 6 patients and secondary in 2. There was significant improvement of BFMDR movement as well as BFMDR disability scales in 6 patients with primary dystonia with modest improvement in those scales in 2 patients with secondary dystonia. Hardware-related problems were observed in 2 and infection was noted in 1. CONCLUSIONS: GPi DBS is an effective and safe therapy in pediatric patients with primary as well as selected cases of secondary dystonia.