Thalamic-Caudal Zona Incerta Deep Brain Stimulation for Refractory Orthostatic Tremor: A Report of 3 Cases.

Orthostatic tremor (OT) is a rare, disabling movement disorder characterized by the development of a high-frequency tremor of the lower limbs and feelings of unsteadiness upon standing, which compel the patient to sit down or walk. Medical therapy is often unsatisfactory. Previous reports suggest that deep brain stimulation of the ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus may improve clinical outcomes. The authors report 3 patients who had intractable orthostatic tremor treated with bilateral deep brain stimulation of the ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus-caudal zona incerta, resulting in improved and sustained clinical improvements in symptoms, although there were no apparent changes in the underlying tremor frequency or onset.