With lesioning techniques, deliberate, selective damage (a lesion) is made within particular parts of the brain. Computer imaging is used to locate the target site precisely while the patient’s head is kept in place with a stereotactic frame (also used in Deep Brain Stimulation ). The lesion is created by inserting an electrode with its tip at the optimum point and then passing an electric current through the tip.
There are currently three target sites:
Because lesioning techniques are irreversible, this type of surgery is not ideal and is generally only done on one side because of there are high risks associated with two-sided lesioning.
Part of the brain that is one of the target sites for deep brain stimulation and lesioning.
Pallidotomy is a surgical operation where a tiny electrical probe is placed in the globus pallidus internus (GPi), one of the basal ganglia of the brain involved with the control of movement, in order to destroy a small area of brain cells. This reduces the brain activity in that area, which may help relieve motor symptoms such as tremor and stiffness (rigidity ).
Before surgery, detailed brain scans using MRI are carried out to identify the precise location for treatment. The probe heats surrounding tissue by emission of radio waves and the heat destroys nearby tissue.
Until the late 1990s, pallidotomy was the most common type of Parkinson's disease surgery. Doctors now rarely perform pallidotomy due to risks involved. Instead, doctors use deep brain stimulation, a procedure that does not destroy brain tissue and has fewer risks than pallidotomy.
The part of the brain that relays sensory information to the cortex. It is one of the target sites for lesioning surgery used to treat Parkinson’s.
A surgical operation in which a specific groups of cells within the thalamus that controls some involuntary movements is surgically destroyed.
Before surgery, detailed brain scans using a CT scan or MRI are done to identify the precise location for treatment. This procedure is often poorly tolerated because of increased complication and risk, including vision and speech problems. The positive effects on tremor are immediate. Other less destructive procedures are preferred, such as subthalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS), since this procedure can also improve tremor and other symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
Part of the basal ganglia that is one of the target sites for deep brain stimulation.
