Deep brain stimulation of ventral internal capsule for refractory obsessive–compulsive disorder

The main objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the ventral striatum (VS) of the anterior limb of internal capsule for patients suffering from refractory obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) and to compare its result with traditional anterior capsulotomy. The present study consisted of two patients subjected to stimulation of ventral capsule (VC)/VS region of internal capsule for refractory OCD. Leads were implanted on both sides stereotactically using fused images of magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scan brain and connected to pulse generator (Medtronic). Outcome of both the patients was measured by Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Mini-Mental Status Examination. The first case was followed for 4 years and 6 months, while the second case was followed for 2 years and 6 months. Both the patients responded very well to stimulation with reduction of Y-BOCS from 38 to 12 (68.42% improvement) in the first patient and 38 to 10 (78.68% improvement) in the second patient after 1 year. BDI also improved in both the patients with no significant change in mental state. No adverse effect was seen in any of the patient. The beneficial effect of DBS persisted in both the patients till follow-up and was much superior to the beneficial effect of anterior capsulotomy. We conclude that DBS of VC/VS complex is very safe and effective in refractory OCD and shows considerable promise for the future. The result of two treated patients was much better as compared to lesioning (anterior capsulotomy) and the beneficial effect persisted for long time.