Palodotomy patients

    
      Re: Palodotomy patients
    


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Posted by CCF NEURO MD on April 27, 1997 at 11:24:35:

In Reply to: Palodotomy patients posted by Janet H. on April 17, 1997 at 23:10:16:

: I am interested in getting info for my mom on the most recent statistics and results of the palodotomy surgery.  What is considered the safest, most successful institution to have it at? How many have been done, with what results?  What research is currently being done on it?  Where can I find the latest published material in a medical journal on the palodotomy?  Does any institution offer a network where I can correspond with palodotomy patients?
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Hello Janet,
Thalamoty and Pallidotomy are neurosurgical techniques used to treat the symptoms of parkinson's disease when medical therapy has failed in controlling these symptoms.  Neurosurgically placed lesions in the basal ganglia and thalamus (which is are parts of the brain that is important in controlling movement) have been used for a long time.  It has only recently come back into vogue.  These procedures have been refined so that there are fewer major complications from this surgery.  There are however still some complications that can occur including weakness on one side of the body, visual impairment etc.  These neurosurgical techniques can improve symtoms (symptoms) such as tremor (shaking), slowness of movement, stiffenss of the limbs, and extra involentary movements brought on by some of the medications used in parkinson's disease.  Many institutions are currently performing these procedures including:
Emory University, Georgia
University of Kansas Medical Center
Baylor College of Medicine, Texas
Columbia University, New York
Loma Linda, California
Toronto Hospital, Canada
Our institution also offers this procedure.  If you are interested in contacting the Cleveland Clinic for futher information, you may call 216-444-5559.  Dr RS Burns is our director of Movement disorders and Dr Barnett is the Neurosugeon who performs these procedures at our institution.  I would suggest that you call the National Parkinson Foundation Hotline if you wish to contact persons who have undergone this procedure.  Their number is 1-800-327-4545. Good luck!