Ho, ho, ho! Gather around, my dear friends, for I have a tale to tell, not of reindeer and sleighs, but of the magical world of Directional Leads (dLeads) in Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). In a land far, far away, across the snowy mountains of Europe, a group of elves—oh, I mean, specialists—have been working tirelessly, not on toys, but on a new technical tool that’s making waves in the DBS workshop.

The European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS), much like my own workshop at the North Pole, has a special task force. This team, dedicated to the craft of functional neurosurgery, embarked on a journey to discover how these dLeads are being used by DBS specialists across the continent. They sent out a scroll—err, an online survey—with 50 questions, both multiple-choice and open-ended, to understand the use of dLeads in the clinical practice of their fellow craftsmen.

From the frosty fjords of Norway to the sun-kissed shores of Spain, 49 respondents from 16 countries chimed in with their experiences. Among them were 38 neurosurgeons, 8 neurologists, and 3 DBS nurses, a merry band of practitioners. While five admitted they hadn’t yet had the pleasure of using dLeads, the rest shared a heartwarming consensus: dLeads, much like a well-crafted toy, brought joy and advantages to their work, with 23 finding them a minor advantage and 21 a major one.

Most of these skilled surgeons, 35 to be exact, revealed a secret: planning the trajectory for implanting dLeads or conventional leads was much the same, a comforting familiarity in their craft. The choice to use dLeads, for 41 of these specialists, was like choosing the perfect wrapping paper, allowing them to optimize stimulation parameters for their patients.

However, every story has its Grinch, and in this tale, it was the time-consuming programming of dLeads. Yet, like any good Christmas story, there’s a silver lining. Innovations such as full 3T MRI compatibility, remote programming, and closed-loop technology were like the star atop the Christmas tree, highly valued by most participants.

In conclusion, my dear friends, as we sit by the fire with our hot cocoa, let’s reflect on this tale from the land of DBS. Directional leads, much like the toys from my workshop, are spreading joy across Europe, making the lives of many a little brighter. Despite the challenges, the spirit of innovation, like the Christmas spirit, remains strong, promising even more magical advancements in the future. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!