chemopallidectomy

/ˌkɛmoʊpæˈlɪdɛktəmi/

noun

A surgical procedure in which a chemical agent is injected into the globus pallidus region of the brain to treat movement disorders like Parkinson's disease.

Etymology

From 'chemo-' (chemical) + 'pallid-' (pale, referring to the globus pallidus brain structure) + 'ectomy' (surgical removal). Medical terminology combining chemical treatment with neurosurgery.

Kelly Says

Chemopallidectomy represents a dark chapter in neurology—it was a brutal last resort for Parkinson's patients before L-DOPA medication was developed, showing how understanding disease at the chemical level revolutionized treatment.

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