Bilateral anterior capsulotomy for patients with refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder: A multicenter, long-term, follow-up study

Abstract

Objective: The objectives of this retrospective study were to analyze the short-term and long-term effects and complications of stereotactic anterior capsulotomy for patients with refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The advantages and disadvantages of stereotactic anterior capsulotomy have been discussed.

Materials and methods: Between October 2007 and June 2010, 37 patients with OCD underwent anterior capsulotomy in West China Hospital of Sichuan University or Mian Yang Central Hospital. The clinical effects were evaluated by an independent psychiatrist preoperatively and after 1 week, and after 1, 3, 6, 12, 36, and 60 months postoperatively. The main parameters were evaluated by scores on the Yale-Brown obsessive compulsive scale (Y-BOCS), Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), and Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA). 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were performed preoperatively and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively.

Results: On comparing the scores obtained at various time points, the effects of anterior capsulotomy were as follows: The Y-BOCS score of the 37 patients decreased in the fifth year postoperatively (P < 0.05); 27 (73.0%) patients exhibited significant improvement (>50% decrease in the Y-BOCS score); 6 (16.2%) patients exhibited partial improvement (20-50% decrease in the Y-BOCS score); and, 4 (10.8%) patients exhibited no evident improvement (<20% decrease in the Y-BOCS score). Moreover, depression and anxiety improved among all the patients (P < 0.05). FDG-PET showed that the glucose metabolic rate had decreased in bilateral frontal cerebral lobe and basal ganglia. DTI showed that the transverse fibers in bilateral anterior limb of the internal capsule were disconnected.

Conclusion: Using MRI guidance, stereotactic treatment of refractory OCD via bilateral anterior internal capsulotomy significantly improved several OCD symptoms such as compulsive behavior, depression, and anxiety. In addition, the assessment of the effects and complications of this treatment was most accurate at 6 months postoperatively.