Open AccessMagnetic Resonance-Guided Focused Ultrasound Thalamotomy to Treat Essential Tremor in Nonagenarians
Author(s) -
Michelle Paff,
Alexandre Boutet,
Clemens Neudorfer,
Gavin J B Elias,
Jürgen Germann,
Aaron Loh,
Walter Kucharczyk,
Alfonso Fasano,
Michael L. Schwartz,
Andrés M. Lozano
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
stereotactic and functional neurosurgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.798
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1423-0372
pISSN - 1011-6125
DOI - 10.1159/000506817
Subject(s) - thalamotomy , essential tremor , medicine , deep brain stimulation , focused ultrasound , magnetic resonance imaging , thalamus , quality of life (healthcare) , movement disorders , ultrasound , surgery , physical medicine and rehabilitation , radiology , parkinson's disease , disease , nursing
Essential tremor (ET) is a disabling movement disorder that is most prevalent among the elderly. While deep brain stimulation surgery targeting the ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus is commonly used to treat ET, the most elderly patients or those with multiple medical comorbidities may not qualify as surgical candidates. Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) constitutes a less invasive modality that may be used to perform thalamotomy without the need for a burr hole craniotomy. Here, we report on 2 patients over the age of 90 years who benefited significantly from MRgFUS thalamotomy to relieve their symptoms and improve their quality of life. The procedure was well tolerated and performed safely in both patients. We conclude that age should not be a limiting factor in the treatment of patients with MRgFUS.