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DBS dysfunction mimicking transient ischemic attacks—a case report

  • Case Report - Functional Neurosurgery - Movement disorders
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Abstract

We report on a patient with thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) for essential tremor who was admitted to a stroke unit with transient vertigo, dysarthria, and gait disturbance. Transient ischemic attacks were assumed but fluctuating neurological symptoms persisted until presentation to a DBS center. Here, unstable high monopolar impedances of the right-hemispheric electrode contacts were detected. Surgical revision revealed a fracture of the pocket adaptor connecting this electrode to the impulse generator. Replacement resulted in stable impedances and remitted the transient neurological symptoms. Emergency and stroke doctors should be aware of neurological symptoms induced by technical dysfunctions in DBS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neurological Rehabilitation Center Godeshoehe, Waldstrasse 2-10, 53177, Bonn, Germany

    Niels Allert, Wei Jin & Xanthi Toulaki

  2. Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, Medical Center and Medical Faculty, Freiburg University, Freiburg (im Breisgau), Germany

    Volker Arnd Coenen

Authors
  1. Niels Allert
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  2. Wei Jin
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  3. Xanthi Toulaki
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  4. Volker Arnd Coenen
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Correspondence to Niels Allert.

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The patient has given written informed consent to publish her case.

Conflict of interest

Niels Allert has received honoraria from Medtronic for lecturing and consulting and from Boston Scientific and Merz Pharmaceuticals for lecturing. Wei Jin and Xanthi Toulaki have nothing to disclose. Volker Arndt Coenen has received occasional honoraria and travel support from Medtronic (USA), Boston Scientific (USA), and St. Jude Medical (USA). He has ongoing investigator initiated trials with Medtronic and Boston Scientific with limited funding. He serves as medical advisor for CorTec (Freiburg, Germany).

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Functional Neurosurgery - Movement disorders

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Allert, N., Jin, W., Toulaki, X. et al. DBS dysfunction mimicking transient ischemic attacks—a case report. Acta Neurochir 162, 1077–1079 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-020-04246-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-020-04246-4

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