Ablative surgery for movement disorders. Anatomic localization techniques.

Abstract

The increased use of ablative movement disorder surgery, pallidotomy, and thalamotomy must be followed by our better understanding of regional neuroanatomy, use of imaging and physiologic techniques for targeting, and methods of lesion creation. The safety of these techniques has been established; efficacy will require additional studies. Selection of appropriate patients and our understanding of outcomes will assist the surgeon in choosing between ablative surgeries and other forms of management.