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What specialist performs the pallidotomy?
Pallidotomy is performed in the hospital by a neurosurgeon, in coordination with the patient's neurologist.
What is a basic difference between the unilateral and bilateral pallidotomy?
For unilateral pallidotomy, a single "burr hole" is made in the top of the skull; bilateral pallidotomy requires two holes.
How does the pallidotomy procedure mimic the effect of dopamine?
Pallidotomy mimics this action by permanently destroying the GPi cells.
What is key to a successful outcome of a pallidotomy?
The key to successful outcome in pallidotomy is extremely precise placement of the electrode.
What does a pallidotomy do?
In a pallidotomy, the globus pallidus is destroyed by heat, delivered by long thin needles inserted under anesthesia
When is a unilateral pallidotomy suggested?
Unilateral (one-sided) pallidotomy may be used if symptoms are markedly worse on one side or the other, or if the risks from bilateral (two-sided) pallidotomy are judged to be too great.
What additional step is necessary in a bilateral pallidotomy?
If bilateral pallidotomy is being performed, the localizing and lesioning will be repeated on the other side.
What type of hospital stay is required for a pallidotomy?
Pallidotomy takes several hours to perform. In some medical centers, pallidotomy is performed as an outpatient procedure, and patients are sent home the same day. Most centers provide an overnight stay or longer for observation and recuperation
What is a pallidotomy?
A pallidotomy is a neurological procedure whereby a tiny electrical probe is placed in the globus pallidus and heated in order to destroy a small area of brain cells.
What patients are generally rejected for a pallidotomy?
Those who are very elderly, demented, or with other significant medical conditions that would be compromised by surgery are usually not candidates for pallidotomy.
What risks are associated with pallidotomy?
Pallidotomy is major surgery on the brain. It may cause excessive bleeding, and care must be taken in patients susceptible to uncontrolled bleeding or who are on anticoagulant therapy.
How is pallidotomy surgery used to treat Parkinson's Disease?
Pallidotomy uses an electrical current to destroy a small amount of brain tissue in the globus pallidus, which is over-stimulated by the corpus striatum in PD.
