Neuromonitoring during stereotactic pallidotomy: registration of motor performance and tremor

The success of stereotactic pallidotomy procedures is determined by the accuracy of the target finding procedure. The first step always consist of the assignment of the coordinates of target as an anatomical base where X-ray is used. The second step is the final positioning of the stereo tactical placed electrode where the function of targeted neuronal structures has to be monitored. This is usually done by neurological examination of the patient during the procedure. In this study, an instrument is developed that records the finger and hand movements during performance test for bradykinesia as one of the prominent symptoms of the patient and tremor, which is a minor symptom here. Thirteen patients were examined. All were in the 'off-state'. Despite patients usually doing well in the performance test, an improvement, expressed in a frequency, is noticed in both the finger tapping and diadochokinesis tests.