Reversal of thalamic hand syndrome by long-term motor cortex stimulation -Case report

The authors describe a case of complete recovery from the so-called "thalam ic hand" syndrome following chronic motor cortex stimulation in a 64-year-o ld man suffering from poststroke thalamic central pain. As of the 2-year fo llow-up examination, the patient's dystonia and pain are still controlled b y electrical stimulation. It is speculated that a common mechanism in which the thalamocortical circu it loops are rendered out of balance may sustain hand dystonia and central pain in this case of thalamic syndrome. To the authors' knowledge this is t he first reported case of its kind.