Essential tremor leading to toxic liver damage successfully treated with deep brain stimulation

Abstract

Purpose: We present a patient with severe essential tremor (ET), who underwent thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS). After previous medical treatment with Propranolol and Primidone failed, the patient resorted to alcohol, which greatly alleviated the symptoms. The downside of this situation, however, was that it led to alcoholism with severely disturbed liver enzymes and hepatic steatosis.

Methods & results: After DBS the patient was free of tremor and thus could easily abstain from alcohol.

Conclusion: In time the elevated liver enzymes returned to normal, which indicates that sufficient tremor control by DBS can help these patients to abstain from alcohol.