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Dear Hillary: The "choice" of Pallidotomy vs. DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation) is related to what your particular symptoms are and what it is exactly that you are attempting to control. Pallidotomy is intended to help symptoms such as rigidity and dyskinesias. This is the more invasive surgery of the two as a probe actually passes into the brain. DBS will control tremors only. This surgery requires that electrodes be placed ON the brain, so nothing actually passes through the brain. There is a control box that is implanted into the chest muscle, much like a cardiac pacer, with thin wires run up the vessels in the neck to the electrodes. While tremors can be very debilitating for some, it is more often that rigidity is the most debilitating part of PD. My best wishes to you as you make this decision. Sincerely, Bonnie Cunningham, R.N. Patient Services Director NPF --------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 30 Aug 1998 12:32:21 -0400 From: Jed Blue <[log in to unmask]> Subject: DOctor says operate operate Hi, all you wonderful people out there, I just got the definitive diagnosis from my neurologist - definitely, indisputably surgery. Pallidotomy or DBS? Any opinions as to pros and cons? Hilary Blue (49/16)