pallidotomy

surgery

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Last updated

July 1, 2026

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Pallidotomy is a surgical procedure used to treat involuntary movements associated with conditions like Parkinson's disease. It involves the surgical inactivation of a specific part of the basal ganglia, a brain structure crucial for controlling voluntary movement. This procedure aims to alleviate symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia (slowness of movement). Pallidotomy was first used in 1951 and is an example of a surgical therapy for parkinsonism when medications are not effective.12

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parkinsonism
Pallidotomy involves destroying a part of the brain structure called the globus pallidus that is involved in motor control. Pallidotomy may improve symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia. Cryothalamotomy destroys the area of the brain that produces tremors by the inserting a probe into…
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Pallidotomy involves destroying a part of the brain structure called the globus pallidus that is involved in motor control. Pallidotomy may improve symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia. Cryothalamotomy destroys the area of the brain that produces tremors by the inserting a probe into…
Read More