Baptist’s neurosciences service line, Semmes-Murphey Neurologic and Spine Institute and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center recently hosted an MRI-guided neurosurgery seminar, teaching physicians how to place deep brain stimulators to treat patients with Parkinson’s disease, dystonia and epilepsy.
DBS treatment has been FDA approved since 1997, and more than 50,000 DBSs have been implanted worldwide since then.
The seminar was taught by accomplished physicians from around the world, including Dr. Karl Sillay of Semmes-Murphey. Dr. Sillay has been performing DBS treatment since 1999, when he was a resident at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
“I applaud the Memphis health care community for embracing neurosurgical treatment like this,” said Dr. Sillay.
Traditionally, patients undergoing this treatment needed to be awake during the procedure to keep their brains active and moving. The neurosurgeon had a 4 to 6 millimeter-size target, roughly the size of a poppy seed, to fit the probe before placing the electrode. However, with MRI-guided technology, physicians are able to measure the target area and perform the therapy in real time while the patient is under general anesthesia, reducing patient anxiety and monitoring delivery of drugs into the brain. Patients who have “asleep” DBS can also continue taking their medications until the day of their surgery.
Patients with epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease are sometimes so debilitated they can’t care for themselves, drive or even work. Following DBS treatment, some of these patients are able to return to daily activities, like drinking coffee without spilling, driving a car and even getting back into the workforce.
DBS does not cure Parkinson’s disease, but it does help manage symptoms like tremors.
“DBS is like a cardiac pacemaker, delivering electrical stimulant to the brain instead of the heart. It can be adjusted until the settings are stabilized,” explained Dr. Sillay.
“We want to establish Memphis as a place for people to come for training in this area,” said Kim Hallum, Baptist’s neurosciences service line administrator.
MRI-guided DBS has the potential to relieve stroke symptoms, as well.