Wide Variation in Ultrasound Lesion Location and Size in Essential Tremor

In magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound thalamotomy, lesion location and size are important for outcomes.

Magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) thalamotomy is FDA approved for unilateral essential tremor treatment. One big concern has been accuracy and predictability of lesion size and location and also disappearing lesions over time. To examine the size and location of lesions and how these characteristics influenced outcomes, investigators tracked 66 patients undergoing MRgFUS for essential tremor using the Clinical Rating Scale for Tremor (CRST) at 3 months postsurgery. Additionally, at day 1 (acutely) and 3 months postprocedure, the authors tracked adverse events including sensory, motor, speech, and gait effects and dysmetria. They also assessed whether tremor scores correlated with the size and location of lesions or with …

Reviewing Author

Michael S. Okun, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardParkinson’s Foundation; Tourette Association of America

Speaker’s BureauMedscape/WebMD CME, Movement Disorders Society CME, American Academy of Neurology CME

RoyaltiesBooks4Patients; Demos; Cambridge; Taylor and Francis; Robert Rose; Public Affairs

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; Parkinson’s Foundation; Tourette Association of America; University of Florida Foundation

Editorial BoardsTremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movements; JAMA Neurology

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesParkinson’s Foundation (Medical Advisor)