Is deep brain stimulation useful in Lance–Adams syndrome?

Abstract

Lance–Adams syndrome (LAS) is a chronic post-hypoxic myoclonus that occurs after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Although many drugs are available to treat this condition, the underlying mechanism of the disease is yet to be understood. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been attempted and proven to be partially successful in treating LAS in several cases. Here, we present a 40-year-old woman who developed myoclonus subsequent to cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) that occurred after her first cesarean delivery at the age of 26 years. The patient underwent implantation of bilateral globus pallidus interna (GPi)-DBS about 14 years after disease onset. Regarding Unified Myoclonus Rating Scale (UMRS), 8% and 20% improvements were observed in action and resting myoclonus, respectively, with high-frequency stimulation as a result of the 3-year follow-up study. In this case, neuromodulation therapy applied 14 years after hypoxia-causing LAS was not sufficiently beneficial.