Surgery uses revolutionary MRI-guided focused ultrasound technology to treat patient tremors
Neurosurgeons at the Norman Prince Neurosciences Institute (NPNI) recently performed an incisionless thalamotomy using a novel image-guided focused ultrasound procedure to treat disabling tremors. The NPNI team performed the procedure at Rhode Island Hospital on July 30, making them only the second provider in New England to offer this revolutionary treatment.
“Lifespan continues to be at the forefront of using cutting-edge technology to provide life-changing treatment options and the very best care for patients,” said Timothy J. Babineau, M.D., president and CEO of Lifespan. “I am so pleased that patients living with challenging tremors will now have access to minimally invasive therapy in Rhode Island thanks to the world-class clinical and research team at NPNI.”
The incisionless outpatient thalamotomy procedure uses focused ultrasound energy guided by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to treat the brain circuit responsible for the patient’s tremors. The procedure is performed while the patient is awake so their response to treatment can be assessed in real time. It is for patients with essential tremor or tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease whose tremors do not improve with medications.
“We are proud to bring this life-altering procedure to Lifespan and the Norman Prince Neurosciences Institute,” said Ziya Gokaslan, M.D., neurosurgeon-in-chief for Rhode Island and The Miriam hospitals and clinical director of the Norman Prince Neurosciences Institute. “Our center cares for hundreds of patients using medications and other surgical and non-surgical interventions, and this treatment option will bring relief and restore function for many.”
During the procedure, MRI is used to target the precise location in the brain responsible for the tremor, and then an ultrasound helmet sends more than 1,000 beams of energy through the patient’s skull to thermally ablate the area without damaging surrounding brain tissue. After each application of energy the patient performs tasks such as drawing a spiral to allow evaluation of the tremor improvement during the treatment. At the end of the procedure a final MRI scan is done to assess the ablation area.
“Although Essential Tremor is relatively common and often fairly mild, there is a significant number of patients for whom the condition is more severe and debilitating, impairing a wide variety of routine daily activities such as eating, writing and getting dressed,” noted Wael Asaad, M.D., Ph.D., director of the NPNI Functional Neurosurgery & Epilepsy program, and the neurosurgeon who performed the first procedure. “For those individuals who cannot find relief through medications, this procedure offers an effective, cutting-edge option without the cutting.”
Because the MRI-guided focused ultrasound treatment for movement disorders does not require an incision, it has the advantage of reduced risk of infection and quicker recovery time for patients. It is usually performed as an outpatient procedure without sedation. The single session treatment takes about 2-3 hours to complete, and after a short recovery time patients can return home.
“Having treated hundreds of people with tremors and other movement disorders, I can attest to the devastating effects these disorders can have on the lives of patients and their families,” said neurologist Umer Akbar, M.D., co-director of the Movement Disorders and Deep Brain Stimulation programs at Rhode Island Hospital. “Using medical and surgical interventions, our program has improved the lives of many living with these conditions, and we are thrilled to add another cutting-edge tool to our repertoire.”
More information on the MRI-guided focused ultrasound technology is available from Insightec.