Symptomatic Cystic Lesion Following Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery

Deep brain stimulation therapy is an effective therapy for selected patients with movement disorders. The procedure is relatively safe, but complications related to the surgical procedure or implanted hardware can occur. The common complications include hemorrhage, infarct, infection, and confusion. Noninfectious cyst formation around the DBS lead is a rare but potential complication of this procedure, which can occur several weeks to months after DBS lead implantation. This chapter describes a case of noninfectious cyst formation at the tip of DBS lead in a patient with essential tremor. Clinical presentation, role of imaging, and the management options for this rare complication are discussed. This case also illustrates the importance of post-DBS imaging in suspected cases with new or unexplained symptoms.