Citation

Kuhn J, Lenartz D, Mai JK, Huff W, Klosterkoetter J, Sturm V. Neurosurgery 2008; 62(5): E1182; discussion E1182.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany. Jens.Kuhn@uk-koeln.de

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Congress of Neurological Surgeons)

DOI

10.1227/01.neu.0000325889.84785.69

PMID

18580794

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Self-mutilation is a severe symptom of diseases with varying etiologies. It can be observed in the context of mental retardation and after traumatic brain injury. Pharmacological treatment approaches often prove ineffective. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 22-year-old woman with repetitive self-mutilating behavior in the mouth area after severe traumatic brain injury. RESULTS: Bilateral deep brain stimulation of the posterior hypothalamus was conducted and resulted in the complete elimination of self-mutilation during a 4-month observation period. CONCLUSION: This technical case report indicates that deep brain stimulation of the posterior hypothalamus could be a promising approach in the treatment of severe self-mutilating behavior.

Language: en