A prospective blinded evaluation of deep brain stimulation for the treatment of secondary dystonia and primary torticollis syndromes.

Object The aim of this study was to provide an objective assessment of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for groups of patients with mixed secondary dystonia and primary torticollis syndromes by a blinded evaluation of 13 consecutive patients who underwent ineffective medical treatment and botulinum toxin injections. Methods Nine patients with secondary dystonia and 4 with cranial dystonia involving prominent spasmodic torticollis were selected for a DBS implant after they underwent unsuccessful medical treatment. Preoperative videos and neurological assessments were obtained and the DBS implant was inserted into the globus pallidus internus. Postoperatively, DBS parameters were adjusted to provide optimal benefit. Postoperative videotapes and quality of life scores were obtained. Blinded randomized evaluation of videotapes was performed by a neurologist specializing in movement disorders. Videos were scored using the Unified Dystonia Rating Scale, Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale, Burke-Fahn...