Neurology

Hinduja Corrects Movement Disorder With DBS

Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder in which sustained muscle contractions cause twisting and repetitive painful movement

Every time 28-year old Ramu Sachdev (name changed) moved his neck or tried to walk, he dreaded of pain and embarrassment. Ever since he was four years old, his muscle movements around the neck, limbs and primarily the right side of his body were not under voluntary control. As a result, Ramu suffered from persistent abnormal postures and repetitive abnormal movements. The excruciating chronic pain combined with a movement disability left him scarred during his growing up years. The fear and embarrassment of a stigma of abnormal neck, disability to walk and general posture made him move into a shell and away from public life, thereby living a poor quality of life. 16 years hence, he was recommended a visit to Dr Milind Sankhe, Consultant Neurosurgeon at PD Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai who diagnosed his disorder as dystonia. Ramu had a combination of cervical dystonia or spasmodic torticollis. A condition that affects the muscles of the neck causing the head to rotate to one side towards the chest or back or a combination of these postures. And generalised dystonia that affects the movement of his limbs. In his case, the disorder was very prominent on the right side of his body. His condition was treated through Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and today he is able to move without pain and discomfort. With the neurostimulator, Ramu has received a fresh lease of life and is happy to work comfortably without stigma.

Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder in which sustained muscle contractions cause twisting and repetitive painful movement or abnormal postures. This condition is chronic in nature and appears to occur in every one lakh people in India. "As the disorder is not easily diagnosed due to varying symptoms and age-related variations, there may be more cases of dystonia," said Dr Sankhe.

Although there is no total cure for patients suffering from dystonia, Dr Sankhe's team has treated Ramu's case by making use of a surgically implanted medical device activa therapy system which is similar to a cardiac pacemaker, to deliver carefully controlled electrical stimulation to precisely targeted areas within the brain. Stimulation of these areas appear to block the brain signals that cause the motor symptoms associated with the three most common movement disorders such as essential tremor, Parkinson's disease and dystonia.

A multi-disciplinary team is required to manage patients receiving activa therapy. A neurologist familiar with movement disorders screens appropriate patients for the treatment. A specially-trained neurosurgeon performs the procedure to implant the system that delivers the therapeutic stimulation. "Many patients with neurological movement disorders can achieve greater control over their body movements with activa therapy. To date, more than 50,000 people worldwide have been treated with activa therapy for Parkinson's disease or essential tremor as well," Dr Sankhe added.

EH News Bureau