Exacerbation of blepharospasm associated with craniocervical dystonia after placement of bilateral globus pallidus internus deep brain stimulator.

To report a case of exacerbation of blepharospasm after bilateral globus pallidus internus (GPi) deep brain stimulator (DBS) placement. A 69-year-old male presented after bilateral GPi DBS placement for blepharospasm and craniocervical dystonia with worsening eyelid spasms and associated apraxia of lid opening (ALO). Numerous attempts to adjust DBS parameters were ineffective. Consequently, bilateral upper eyelid myectomy was performed. Myectomy surgery was free of complications. The patient had significant improvement of blepharospasm and ALO. Although early success has been reported with DBS placement in a small number of patients with focal dystonias, further studies and longer follow-up are needed to demonstrate whether this will prove to be a useful approach in the treatment of blepharospasm. Upper eyelid myectomy can provide an effective means for treating blepharospasm and associated ALO. 2008 Movement Disorder Society