Combined thalamic and pallidal deep brain stimulation for dystonic tremor.

BACKGROUND: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been proposed to treat disabling dystonic tremor (DT), but there is debate about the optimal target. DBS of the globus pallidus interna (GPi) may be insufficient to control tremor, and DBS of the ventral intermediate thalamic nucleus (VIM) may inadequately control dystonic features, raising the question of combining both targets. OBJECTIVES: To report the respective effects on DT symptoms of high-frequency stimulation of the VIM, the GPi and both targets simultaneously stimulated. METHODS: Three patients with DT treated by bilateral high frequency DBS of 2 targets (VIM and GPi) were assessed 12 months after surgery in 4 conditions (VIM and GPi-DBS; GPi-DBS only; VIM-DBS only; DBS switched Off for both targets) by 3 independent movement disorders specialists blinded to the condition. RESULTS: The Fahn-Tolosa-Marin-tremor-rating-scale (FTM-TRS) and Burke-Fahn-Marsden-dystonia-rating-scale (BFM-DRS) scores were more improved by combined DBS than VIM alone or GPi alone. Compared to Off/Off condition, mean total FTM-TRS score decrease was 34%, 42% and 63% respectively with VIM only, GPi only and combined VIM and GPi stimulation. Mean total BFM-DRS score decrease was 34%, 37% and 60% respectively with VIM only, GPi only and combined VIM and GPi stimulation, compared to Off/Off condition. Improvement concerned both motor, functional and activities of daily living sub-scores. No complications or adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION: Combined VIM- and GPi-DBS, by modulating the cerebello-thalamo-cortical network and the basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical network, both involved in DT pathophysiology, may be more efficient than single DBS targeting only one of them.

[A medical-pharmaceutical partnership model as a contributor to the success in conditioning regimen for allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in adults: a cross-reflection on our organizations]. / Modèle de coopération médico-pharmaceutique comme contributeur au succès du conditionnement de la greffe allogénique de cellules souches hématopoïétiques chez l'adulte : un regard croisé sur nos organisations.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplant (allo-SCT) remains the only cure for many hematological malignancies and some benign and congenital diseases. Busulfan, proposed in its injectable form, has quickly become a mainstay of pharmacological and myeloablative (or non-myeloablative) conditioning. This is following the outbreak in 2010 of a multicenter international clinical phase II trial, we tested the robustness and reliability of our organization in a complex model of organization and multifactorial partnership. In this type "BuCy2" protocol based on a classical treatment duration of 4 consecutive days, the administration of IV busulfan is given in one single daily infusion instead of the conventional 16 infusions, while keeping the same total dose. Under these conditions, the treatment is totally secured using a therapeutic drug monitoring of busulfan, applied in real-time. The process is technically complex and requires the very close cooperation of the teams involved. A strength, weakness, opportunity and threat (SWOT) analysis has been constructed; it fully supports continuous quality improvement to the triple benefit of the nursing chain, the patients and their environment. Several critical points were identified and corrected. The experiment strongly contributes to the safety and security of the medication circuit at the hospital and, improves the performance of allo-SCT. It also contributes to the protection of all actors in the health field and their working environment via a well-functioning quality management system.