Results of a Phase 1 Study of MR Guided Focused Ultrasound Thalamotomy for Essential TremorKeywords: tremor, focused ultrasound, thalamotomy, outcome, essential tremorInteractive Manuscript
Ask Questions of this Manuscript:
What is the background behind your study?
MR-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) represents a new treatment paradigm available to stereotactic surgeons.
What is the purpose of your study?
With the advent of phased array transducers, precise noninvasive transcranial ultrasound lesioning is now feasible. Furthermore, MR thermometry allows for real-time monitoring of the treatment location and intensity.
Describe your patient group.
Fifteen medication-refractory essential tremor patients receiving a unilateral MRgFUS Vim thalamotomy are being investigated under an FDA-approved protocol. .
Describe what you did.
Pre and post assessments with a validated rating scale for tremor and MRI were obtained throughout the study period at time points of one day, one week, one month, and three months. Adverse events were recorded throughout the study period
Describe your main findings.
Substantial reductions in contralateral appendicular tremor were noted in subjects throughout the three month study period. The adverse event profile was comparable to stereotactic thalamic procedures and included paresthesia, ataxia and subjective unsteadiness. Transient device-related adverse effects include headache, warm sensations, dizziness and nausea. The full spectrum of outcomes and adverse events from the study will be presented. Neuromodulation at low power sonications was performed in a few patients based on their intraprocedural clinical testing.
Describe the main limitation of this study.
This is a retrospective study.
Describe your main conclusion.
This initial investigation of MRgFUS thalamotomy seems safe and effective in alleviating contralateral appendicular tremor.
Describe the importance of your findings and how they can be used by others.
This noninvasive technique, in combination with neuromodulation acoustic parameters, may prove to be very effective for people with tremor and other movement disorders.
MR-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) represents a new treatment paradigm available to stereotactic surgeons.
With the advent of phased array transducers, precise noninvasive transcranial ultrasound lesioning is now feasible. Furthermore, MR thermometry allows for real-time monitoring of the treatment location and intensity.
Fifteen medication-refractory essential tremor patients receiving a unilateral MRgFUS Vim thalamotomy are being investigated under an FDA-approved protocol. .
Pre and post assessments with a validated rating scale for tremor and MRI were obtained throughout the study period at time points of one day, one week, one month, and three months. Adverse events were recorded throughout the study period
Substantial reductions in contralateral appendicular tremor were noted in subjects throughout the three month study period. The adverse event profile was comparable to stereotactic thalamic procedures and included paresthesia, ataxia and subjective unsteadiness. Transient device-related adverse effects include headache, warm sensations, dizziness and nausea. The full spectrum of outcomes and adverse events from the study will be presented. Neuromodulation at low power sonications was performed in a few patients based on their intraprocedural clinical testing.
This is a retrospective study.
This initial investigation of MRgFUS thalamotomy seems safe and effective in alleviating contralateral appendicular tremor.
This noninvasive technique, in combination with neuromodulation acoustic parameters, may prove to be very effective for people with tremor and other movement disorders.
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