Pallidotomy
Surgical procedure for treating Parkinson's disease
Pallidotomy is a neurosurgical procedure that involves the precise destruction of a small part of the globus pallidus, a component of the basal ganglia in the brain. This procedure is primarily used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders.
History[edit | edit source]
Pallidotomy was first developed in the mid-20th century as a treatment for Parkinson's disease. The procedure gained popularity in the 1990s with the advent of modern imaging techniques that allowed for more precise targeting of the globus pallidus.
Indications[edit | edit source]
Pallidotomy is indicated for patients with Parkinson's disease who experience severe motor symptoms that are not adequately controlled by medication. These symptoms may include tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia.
Procedure[edit | edit source]
The procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia with the patient awake, allowing for real-time feedback during surgery. A small hole is drilled in the skull, and a probe is inserted into the globus pallidus. The target area is then lesioned using heat generated by radiofrequency energy.
Mechanism of Action[edit | edit source]
The globus pallidus is part of the basal ganglia, which play a crucial role in the regulation of voluntary movement. In Parkinson's disease, the normal functioning of the basal ganglia is disrupted, leading to the characteristic motor symptoms. By lesioning a part of the globus pallidus, pallidotomy aims to restore balance in the basal ganglia circuitry, thereby alleviating symptoms.
Outcomes[edit | edit source]
Pallidotomy can lead to significant improvement in motor symptoms for many patients. However, the procedure is not without risks, and potential complications include speech disorders, cognitive impairment, and hemiparesis.
Alternatives[edit | edit source]
Other surgical options for treating Parkinson's disease include deep brain stimulation (DBS), which involves the implantation of electrodes in the brain to modulate neural activity. Unlike pallidotomy, DBS is reversible and adjustable.
Related pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
