Life-threatening dystonia-dyskinesias in a child: Successful treatment with bilateral pallidal stimulation

We report a 13-year-old boy who developed severe, refractory dystonia-dyski nesias as an abrupt worsening of a previously nonprogressive movement disor der. The movements became continuous, requiring artificial respiration and continuous sedation in the intensive-care unit. Various drugs and drug comb inations failed to achieve control. The child was then treated successfully with bilateral pallidal (GPi) stimulation as shown in the videotape. Four months later and without medication, the boy regained autonomous gait and a udible speech; his neurologic condition continues to improve.