Managing Lead Fractures in Deep Brain Stimulation for Movement Disorders
Author Information
Author(s): Chingiz Nurimanov, Iroda Mammadinova, Karashash Menlibayeva, Seitzhan Aidarov, Nurtay Nurakay, Assylbek Kaliyev, Yerbol Makhambetov, Serik K. Akshulakov, Andrea Guerra, Carlo Alberto Artusi
Primary Institution: National Centre for Neurosurgery
Hypothesis
This study aimed to determine the incidence, timing, and clinical factors associated with lead fractures in a large cohort of DBS patients over a 10-year period.
Conclusion
Lead fractures, while rare, remain a significant complication in DBS systems, and advancements in hardware design may help mitigate this risk.
Supporting Evidence
- Lead fractures were identified in 17 patients (5.23%) affecting 18 electrodes.
- Most cases involved patients with Parkinson’s disease (76.5%) or dystonia (23.5%).
- Nearly all patients with lead fractures had a history of trauma.
- Two cases were associated with active engagement in sports.
- All electrode fractures required surgical revision.
Takeaway
This study looked at patients with deep brain stimulation and found that some had problems with lead fractures, which can happen due to trauma or sports activities.
Methodology
This retrospective study analyzed data from 325 patients who underwent bilateral DBS implantation at the National Centre for Neurosurgery from 2013 to 2023.
Limitations
The study was conducted on patients treated in a specialized neurosurgical hospital, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to the broader population.
Participant Demographics
The average age of patients with lead fractures was 59.17 years, with a majority diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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