• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1360-1364
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• 2000

This 26-year-old man gradually developed a disabling midbrain tremor involving both distal and proximal part of left upper arm. On neurologic examination, oculomotor palsy, and ataxia of the left arm were noted. Radiologic examination revealed a mass lesion on midbrain tegmentum. He was tentatively diagnosed as brain tumor (presumably germinoma) without stereotactic biopsy. Conventional radiation therapy was given for this lesion. Although there was improvement in the radiologic imaging, his midbrain tremor worsened and became untolerable. The authors performed MR-guided stereotactic Vim-thalamotomy. With macroelectrode stimulation and radiofequency lesioning, his resting, postural and action tremors were almost completely abolished in both distal and proximal part of left upper extremity. Authors consider that Vim thalamotomy is still an effective means of controlling midbrain tremor involving proximal upper limb.