Unilateral deep brain stimulation (DBS) of nucleus ventralis intermedius thalami (Vim) for the treatment of post-traumatic tremor in children: a multicentre experience

Purpose Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of nucleus ventralis intermedius thalami (Vim) is a validated technique for the treatment of essential tremor (ET) in adults. Conversely, its use for post traumatic tremor (PTT) and in paediatric patients is still debated. We evaluated the efficacy of Vim-DBS for lesional tremor in three paediatric patients with drug-resistant post-traumatic unilateral tremor. Methods We retrospectively collected data regarding three patients with unilateral tremor due to severe head injury, with no MRI evidence of basal ganglia lesions. The three patients underwent stereotactic frame-based robot-assisted DBS of Vim contralateral to the tremor side. Results Mean follow-up was 48 months (range: 36–60 months). Tremor was reduced in all patients with a better control of voluntary movements and improvement of functional status (mean FIM scale improvement + 7 points). No surgical complications occurred. Conclusion Unilateral contralateral DBS of Vim could be efficacious in post-traumatic tremor, even in paediatric patients and should be offered in PTT drug-resistant patients.