Managing Dystonia Patients Treated with Deep Brain Stimulation

Successful deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy depends on the proper implementation of a series of interrelated procedures, including appropriate candidate selection, precise lead placement, and proficient device programming. When indicated, medication adjustments and side effect troubleshooting are other important factors to optimize outcome. Competent postoperative management of DBS patients requires a detailed knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the target area, general expertise in the treatment of movement disorders, and familiarity with the protocols for setting optimal stimulation parameters.