Guidance
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on deep brain stimulation for tremor and dystonia (excluding Parkinson's disease).
Description
This procedure involves inserting very fine needles into the brain through small holes made in the skull to determine the exact position of the nucleus, which may be different in each patient. This part of the procedure is usually carried out under local anaesthetic. Once the nucleus is identified, a permanent electrode is placed into it. Under general anaesthetic, this electrode is then connected to a pulse generator, which is implanted subcutaneously on the anterior chest wall.
Coding and clinical classification codes for this guidance