[Stereotaxic brain operations in erethitic imbecility (author's transl)].

Long-term results of stereotaxic operations in 23 patients with severe erethitic (aggressive-destructive) imbecility were evaluated. Target areas in the thalamus, electrocoagulated in separate bilateral operations, were the dorsomedial nucleus and the internal medullary lamina. Definite tranquilization was achieved in 50% and acquiescence in 27% of patients, resulting in a positive effect on more than 75% of patients. The postoperative course showed a constant level of quiet behavior in only 25% of patients ("static course"), whereas 50% of patients showed an oscillating course leading to subsequent improvement and later stabilization ("undulant course"). The final outcome was improvement and later stabilization ("undulant course"). The final outcome was not improved in 25% of patients. Additional therapeutic measures involving adaptation of psychopharmacotherapy improvements in surroundings, and play and working therapy were occasionally effective (Fig 3). In the pneumoencephalograms of these patients a new distinctive variant was encountered that awaits confirmation: typically, a definite increase in thalamic height, a decrease in ventricular width, and a relative diminution of base line length was found. Stereotaxic thalamotomy in erethitic imbeciles is a therapeutic method with a 75% long-term effectiveness and should be considered a proven therapeutic alternative.