ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Neurosurgical treatment, although controversial, is considered a useful resource in the treatment of chronic psychiatric diseases such as refractory aggressiveness. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical results and side effects of posteromedial hypothalamotomy associated with amygdalotomy in patients with refractory aggressiveness. METHOD: A clinical trial was conducted in patients with chronic aggressiveness and refractory to pharmacological treatment. A central amygdalotomy associated with posteromedial hypothalamotomy was performed using thermo-coagulation by radiofrequency. The degree of aggressiveness was quantified by the Yudofsky's global scale of aggression. Postoperative changes in aggressive behavior continued to be evaluated every 6 months for at least 36 months. RESULTS: A statistically significant change in aggressive behavior was observed during 36 months of follow-up. The collateral effects of the association of both procedures are described, the most frequent being drowsiness and some cases of reduction in sexual behavior. CONCLUSION: Symmetric and simultaneous unilateral lesions of the central nucleus of the amygdala and the posteromedial hypothalamus contralateral to motor dominance give the same clinical effect in the reduction of the pathological aggression that the bilateral lesions.
Subject(s)
Aggression , Amygdala/surgery , Hypothalamus/surgery , Adult , Amygdala/diagnostic imaging , Electrocoagulation/adverse effects , Electrocoagulation/methods , Female , Humans , Hypothalamus/diagnostic imaging , Male , Middle Aged , Psychosurgery/methods , Radiofrequency Ablation/adverse effects , Radiofrequency Ablation/methods , Treatment Outcome , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Neurosurgical treatment, although controversial, is considered a useful resource in the treatment of chronic psychiatric diseases such as refractory aggressiveness. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical results and side effects of posteromedial hypothalamotomy associated with amygdalotomy in patients with refractory aggressiveness. METHOD: A clinical trial was conducted in patients with chronic aggressiveness and refractory to pharmacological treatment. A central amygdalotomy associated with posteromedial hypothalamotomy was performed using thermo-coagulation by radiofrequency. The degree of aggressiveness was quantified by the Yudofsky's global scale of aggression. Postoperative changes in aggressive behavior continued to be evaluated every 6 months for at least 36 months. RESULTS: A statistically significant change in aggressive behavior was observed during 36 months of follow-up. The collateral effects of the association of both procedures are described, the most frequent being drowsiness and some cases of reduction in sexual behavior. CONCLUSION: Symmetric and simultaneous unilateral lesions of the central nucleus of the amygdala and the posteromedial hypothalamus contralateral to motor dominance give the same clinical effect in the reduction of the pathological aggression that the bilateral lesions.
ANTECEDENTES: El tratamiento neuroquirúrgico, aunque polémico, se considera un recurso útil en el tratamiento de enfermedades psiquiátricas crónicas como la agresividad refractaria. OBJETIVO: Evaluar los resultados clínicos y los efectos colaterales de la hipotalamotomía posteromedial (HPM) asociada a amigdalotomía en pacientes con agresividad refractaria. MÉTODO: Se realizó un ensayo clínico en pacientes con agresividad crónica y refractaria a tratamiento farmacológico. Se les realizó amigdalotomía central asociada a HPM mediante termocoagulación por radiofrecuencia. El grado de agresividad se cuantificó mediante la escala global de agresividad de Yudofsky. Los cambios postoperatorios en la conducta agresiva continuaron siendo evaluados cada 6 meses durante al menos 36 meses. RESULTADOS: Se observó un cambio estadísticamente significativo de la conducta agresiva, a lo largo de 36 meses de seguimiento. Se describen los efectos colaterales de la asociación de ambos procedimientos, siendo el de mayor frecuencia la somnolencia y algunos casos de reducción en la conducta sexual. CONCLUSIÓN: Las lesiones unilaterales simétricas y simultáneas del núcleo central de la amígdala y del hipotálamo posteromedial contralaterales a la dominancia motora dan el mismo efecto clínico en la reducción de la agresividad patológica que las lesiones bilaterales.
Subject(s)
Aggression , Amygdala/surgery , Hypothalamus/surgery , Mental Disorders/surgery , Psychosurgery/methods , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young AdultABSTRACT
Resumen Antecedentes: El tratamiento neuroquirúrgico, aunque polémico, se considera un recurso útil en el tratamiento de enfermedades psiquiátricas crónicas como la agresividad refractaria. Objetivo: Evaluar los resultados clínicos y los efectos colaterales de la hipotalamotomía posteromedial (HPM) asociada a amigdalotomía en pacientes con agresividad refractaria. Método: Se realizó un ensayo clínico en pacientes con agresividad crónica y refractaria a tratamiento farmacológico. Se les realizó amigdalotomía central asociada a HPM mediante termocoagulación por radiofrecuencia. El grado de agresividad se cuantificó mediante la escala global de agresividad de Yudofsky. Los cambios postoperatorios en la conducta agresiva continuaron siendo evaluados cada 6 meses durante al menos 36 meses. Resultados: Se observó un cambio estadísticamente significativo de la conducta agresiva, a lo largo de 36 meses de seguimiento. Se describen los efectos colaterales de la asociación de ambos procedimientos, siendo el de mayor frecuencia la somnolencia y algunos casos de reducción en la conducta sexual. Conclusión: Las lesiones unilaterales simétricas y simultáneas del núcleo central de la amígdala y del hipotálamo posteromedial contralaterales a la dominancia motora dan el mismo efecto clínico en la reducción de la agresividad patológica que las lesiones bilaterales.
Abstract Background: Neurosurgical treatment, although controversial, is considered a useful resource in the treatment of chronic psychiatric diseases such as refractory aggressiveness. Objective: To evaluate the clinical results and side effects of posteromedial hypothalamotomy associated with amygdalotomy in patients with refractory aggressiveness. Method: A clinical trial was conducted in patients with chronic aggressiveness and refractory to pharmacological treatment. A central amygdalotomy associated with posteromedial hypothalamotomy was performed using thermo-coagulation by radiofrequency. The degree of aggressiveness was quantified by the Yudofsky's global scale of aggression. Postoperative changes in aggressive behavior continued to be evaluated every 6 months for at least 36 months. Results: A statistically significant change in aggressive behavior was observed during 36 months of follow-up. The collateral effects of the association of both procedures are described, the most frequent being drowsiness and some cases of reduction in sexual behavior. Conclusion: Symmetric and simultaneous unilateral lesions of the central nucleus of the amygdala and the posteromedial hypothalamus contralateral to motor dominance give the same clinical effect in the reduction of the pathological aggression that the bilateral lesions.