Autotransplantation of superior cervical ganglion to the caudate nucleus in three patients with Parkinson's disease (preliminary report).

Striatal cervical ganglionic implants have been utilized for the first time for treatment of three patients suffering from Parkinson's disease. Tissue grafts from the superior cervical ganglion have been dissected and immediately transplanted into the head of the caudate nucleus. The grafted tissue placed in a cavity of the caudate nucleus remains in contact with the cerebrospinal fluid in the lateral ventricle. Three and six months after surgery, none of the patients has had any major complications and their lower score of Unified Parkinsonism Rating Scale (UPRS) points was associated with an improvement of the signs of Parkinson's disease. Present data have provided some optimism that grafting of superior cervical ganglion is a feasible approach in Parkinson's disease.