Unilateral globus pallidus internus stimulation improves delayed onset post-traumatic cervical dystonia with an ipsilateral focal basal ganglia lesion

Treatment with unilateral left globus pallidus internus (GPi) deep brain stimulation is reported in a patient with severe delayed onset post-traumatic cervical dystonia. He had sustained severe head trauma at the age of 17 and had developed a mild right hemiparesis. Three years after the head injury, cervical dystonia with head turning to the left side developed. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a discrete GPi lesion on the left side. At the age of 23, he underwent unilateral left GPi deep brain stimulation. He experienced immediate but short lasting benefit from the microlesioning effect of the electrode. With activation of deep brain stimulation, there was significant improvement of the cervical dystonia, persisting for 12 months of follow up. This case underlines the importance of the globus pallidus internus in the generation and amelioration of cervical dystonia.